Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 136 [What did the Six Dynasties amount to? Only selfish schemes among powerful families!]
The atmosphere in Duojing Tower was as still as iron.

Governor Wei Guanlan tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

The room was filled with powerful families, yet not a single one dared to place a bid!
The article "Wuyi Lane" from Mingzhou, shrouded in purple mist, hung in mid-air like a mirror, revealing the thoughts of the powerful families of Jiangnan.

Are the powerful clans of Jiangnan truly an impenetrable fortress?!

—As the head of the Twelve Families of Jinling, the Wang and Xie families would not dare to utter a sound without the approval of the hundreds of powerful clans and aristocratic families in Jiangnan!
Wei Guanlan and Du Jingchen exchanged a serious look.

They originally intended to use Jiang Xingzhou's satirical article to warn the powerful families of Jiangnan and force them to obediently donate silver.

But now that a literary masterpiece like "Black Clothes Lane" has appeared, it can't suppress the arrogance of the Wang and Xie families!
Du Jingchen's fingertips trembled slightly, and he clearly saw—

Wang Su, the head of the Wang family, had a cold smile on his lips, while the Xie family members remained calm.

This is a silent protest!
The matter of donating money is likely to become quite complicated.

Wei Guanlan suddenly slammed his teacup down.

The crisp sound of the collision echoed in the hall, but it was like a muffled thunderclap hitting everyone's hearts.

If soft coercion doesn't work, then we'll resort to hard tactics and forcefully collect donations!

However, this would certainly cause resentment among the powerful clans of Jiangnan, who would openly donate silver but secretly obstruct the canal transport, taxes, and corvée labor.

At that time, the forced donations will likely have to be repaid by the ineffective governance of Jiangnan Circuit for the next ten years.

A cold glint flashed in Hanlin Academician Wang Su's eyes!

He slowly rose, his eyes burning with hatred as he stared at Jiang Xingzhou. His purple robe and jade belt fluttered without wind as he spoke coldly, word by word: "Jiang Sheng, have I, Wang Xie of Jinling, ever offended you?"

Why did you write this satirical poem, "Black Clothes Lane," to ridicule the Wang and Xie families of Jinling in every way?

The sound was not loud, but it resembled the clang of metal, causing dust to fall from the beams and pillars of Duojing Tower.

Jiang Xingzhou stood with his hands behind his back, his blue robe billowing like clouds, and smiled.

"Lord Wang, you are mistaken!"

This is a poem urging someone to ascend the throne!

Thinking back to that year,

During the Jin and Southern Dynasties, the Yongjia gentry migrated south. Wang Dao and Xie An of Jinling held military and political power and defeated the enemy's invading army. There were also Wang Xizhi and Xie Daoyun, who were unparalleled in literary talent and elegant and unrestrained.

At that time, the Wang and Xie families were the most revered among the gentry of the land.

He suddenly raised his sleeve and pointed—

Purple mist surged in the void, conjuring up an illusion of Wang Dao, from the Jin Dynasty, pointing out the landscape with a whisk, and Xie An, dashing and defeating enemies by the Fei River. There were also images of Wang Xizhi splashing ink and Xie Daoyun displaying her talent.
Before the words were even finished, the illusion suddenly changed!
Nowadays, the sons of the Wang and Xie families either indulge in drunken revelry in the Golden Valley Garden or vie for vast tracts of fertile land.

That family crest, which once stood tall and spanned the sea in Jiangnan, has now become the seal for measuring land deeds!
"How lamentable,"
"The Wang and Xie families of yesteryear were once so elegant and refined; now they are but humble peasants!"

Nowadays, besides living as wealthy farmers in Jiangnan, hoarding all the land and living off the people's hard-earned money, what great ambitions do the Wang and Xie families have left?

I am deeply moved; it is truly heartbreaking!

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly took a step forward, turned around sharply, his clothes fluttering like battle flags, and the blue bricks under his feet cracked with a spiderweb pattern.

The illusion of flying swallows in the purple aura shattered with a roar, turning into a shower of light that fell upon the thatched huts of the common people.

"Therefore, there is the poem, '[The swallows that once graced the halls of the Wang and Xie families now fly into the homes of ordinary people.]'"
I have composed this poem of encouragement to the descendants of the Wang and Xie families of Jinling, to remember the elegance of our ancestors, and to dedicate themselves to the cause of the nation and its people.

But I wonder, what was Lord Wang Su's opinion of this poem urging me to ascend the throne?

The hundreds of powerful family heads present were horrified!
A poem urging someone to accept the throne?
Jiang Xingzhou is truly a silver-tongued man; how could he have pulled off such a blatant deception?!
A satirical poem exposed the true nature of the Wang and Xie families, yet he still managed to portray it as a poem urging them to ascend the throne!
He pointed at the noses of the Wang and Xie families and mocked them, even demanding that they thank him for his "poem urging them to ascend the throne."

Wang Su trembled with rage, his knuckles white from clenching his fists in his sleeves. Suddenly, the suspended scroll of "Black Clothes Lane" burst into purple flames, and within its illusory form, wisps of blue smoke appeared from the Wang family crest.
evaluate?

At this moment, Wang Su was speechless, a metallic taste rising in his throat—how could he possibly comment on this "poem urging him to ascend the throne"?
No matter how you evaluate it, it's a slap in the face to the Wang and Xie clans!
"Brother Xie Qihe, Brother Wang Moqing—you two and I are both among the 'Four Great Talents of Jiangnan.' What do you think of this 'Poem of Urging the Emperor to Advance the Emperor'?"

Jiang Xingzhou flicked his sleeves, and the Purple Qi Wenbao suddenly split into light and shadow, condensing into two scrolls before the banquet tables of the Wang and Xie families—

The left panel depicts Prime Minister Xie An winning the Battle of Fei River with black pieces, while the right panel shows Wang Dao establishing the capital in Jiankang with a whisk.

A thin crack appeared in the teacup in Xie Qihe's hand with a "crack".

The jade pendant at Wang Moqing's waist trembled without wind, casting a swaying shadow on the blue bricks.

The gazes of everyone present were like knives, making the two scholars' faces burn with embarrassment and their ears turn red, and they dared not utter a sound.

What do they dare to say?
Is it true that Jiang Xingzhou insulted the Wang and Xie families?

But the poem's line about the decline of the Wang and Xie families of Jinling is an undeniable fact!

Is it true that the Wang and Xie families are still as prominent as before?
The Wang and Xie families, two of the twelve prominent clans of Jinling, are now among the most influential and prestigious families in the ten prefectures and cities of Jiangnan, and their influence continues unabated.

However, in the current imperial court of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the sons of the Wang and Xie families are no longer seen in the important positions of the three provinces and six ministries.

Those "Si Lang" official positions that they were so proud of were nothing more than fireflies compared to the bright moon in the face of the national military and political power held by the ancestors of the Wang and Xie families!

It's just that they themselves are not ambitious enough.

However, thanks to the legacy of their ancestors, the Wang and Xie families of Jiangnan still enjoy a high reputation.

Xie Qihe suddenly stood up, wanting to argue, but then abruptly sat back down.

He felt ashamed when he saw that Jiang Xingzhou had used his first book to conjure up the story of "Xie Gong playing Go with someone" from "A New Account of Tales of the World".

Xie Qihe was filled with remorse, his fingertips digging deep into his palm, a drop of crimson blood falling onto the blue brick, blooming into a dazzling flower.

Wang Moqing's Adam's apple bobbed, but he couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal—that piece, "Black Clothes Lane," was like a knife, tearing apart the dignity of his proud aristocratic family, leaving it bleeding!

I want to cry without tears.

My writing skills are inferior to others!
My spirit is inferior to theirs!
They can't even protect the good fortune left by their ancestors!
They wanted to write a satirical poem to retaliate, but their minds were blank and they didn't know what to say!

Jiang Xingzhou pinned him to the ground and rubbed him against the ground in front of everyone, and he couldn't even resist!
The room was completely silent, except for the purple aura of the "Black Clothes Lane" inscription, which resonated in the void like the cry of a swallow or the murmur of a sword.

Jiang Xingzhou stood with his hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering, as if he could see the grand scene of the Wang and Xie scions discussing metaphysics at the entrance of Wuyi Lane in those days.

And these two in front of us are Xie Qihe and Wang Moqing!

They don't even have the right to be angry!
Xie Qihe suddenly let out a bitter laugh, and the poems in his sleeve fluttered to the ground. It was his new work, "Leaving the County," which he had been painstakingly composing for half a month. Now, under the purple glow of "Black Clothes Lane," it looked as ridiculous as a child's scribbles.

Wang Moqing's face was pale, just like the crumbling lintels of the Wang and Xie families!
now,

The purple aura emanating from the most precious book in the building had not yet dissipated, and the entire room was silent as if chilled to the bone.

The remaining members of the Twelve Families of Jinling, such as the Lu and Gu families, etc.
The teacup in the hands of the Lu family head was suspended in mid-air, the tea already cold.
The Gu family members gripped their folding fans tightly, their knuckles turning white, yet they dared not unfold the fan surfaces adorned with their poems and essays from their time away from the county.

Who dares to speak up?

In support of the Wang and Xie families?

Jiang Xingzhou's article is absolutely amazing!
Once the poem is published, it's like a sharp sword hanging overhead!
Their works, often of the highest caliber, resonated with the soaring talent of the Duojing Tower, causing the ancestral literary treasures of each family to tremble in their boxes.

The poem is full of sarcasm!
The literati of the ten prefectures of Jiangnan Circuit were simply unable to resist.

Xie Qihe, one of the "Four Great Talents of Jiangnan," sat slumped in dejection, his figure like a mirror reflecting the insecurity of all the scions of Jiangnan's aristocratic families.

The masterpieces of the Lu Family Poetry Society, in retrospect, are nothing more than a collection of flowery words;

Gu's proudest work is like child's play in the face of Jiang Xingzhou's thunderous writing!

They were also afraid that if they jumped out, they would get burned and draw the fire from Jiang Xingzhou's article onto themselves.

If they're not careful, they could be the next ones to be the subject of a satirical poem of the highest caliber.

Xie Yuheng's face was ashen, and Wang Su's forehead veins bulged, but the two powerful family heads remained silent, gritting their teeth.

The Wang and Xie families of Jinling preferred to silently endure the humiliation of this "Black Clothes Lane" essay, stubbornly refusing to express their stance or submit.

The reason is very simple!
Today, if Jiang Xingzhou were merely a scholar, one article would be enough to break their kneecaps, forcing them to kneel on the ground, bow their heads in submission, and obediently offer a large sum of money to purchase this prized first article.

Tomorrow, when Governor Wei Guanlan personally takes action, won't they be powerless to resist?! They can be taken and plundered at will! They'll obediently hand over millions of acres of farmland and businesses belonging to their families.

These hundreds of powerful clans and families in Jiangnan Province still dare to call themselves powerful clans and dominate Jiangnan Province?

Zhou Dunshi, the chief editor of Jiangnan Book Society and a Hanlin scholar, sat upright, stroking his beard, and savored the essay "Wuyi Lane".

An objective evaluation
In his essay "Black Clothes Lane," Jiang Xingzhou did not resort to insults or mockery. Instead, he expressed pity!

This poem carries an almost sorrowful sigh—a sigh for the glory of the Wang and Xie families, which has long since sunk along with the setting sun at the entrance of Wuyi Lane.

But it is this pity that is sharper than any insult.

After reading it, the Wang and Xie clansmen felt as if ice was stuck in their throats.

They were once the masters of Jinling, but now they have become a faded silhouette of the setting sun in the poem, leaving future generations to sigh.

Once this poem, "Black Clothes Lane," spread throughout the land, everyone would know it—

The entire world knows of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Wuyi Lane in Jinling still exists, but the two prominent families of Jinling in Jiangnan have faded away like the setting sun, leaving no trace of their former glory.

Inside the Duojing Tower, you could hear a pin drop.

A long silence fell over the room once again.

Jiang Xingzhou stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the ashen faces of the silent Wang and Xie clan members. A slight smile played on his lips, a cold laugh rising in his heart.

Purple mist surged, and the text of "Wuyi Lane" hung in mid-air, with swallows circling around it, each word as sharp as a knife.

—This poem is here, and the swallow of destiny is also here.

—If the Wang and Xie families are willing to spend a large sum of money to buy back this poem urging them to ascend the throne and enshrine it in their ancestral hall, they may be able to salvage some of their fortune.

Donating three to five hundred thousand taels of silver to help the governor conquer the demon court of Taihu Lake is also a way to do one's part for the people of Jiangnan.

pity--

It seems that the sons of the Wang and Xie families these days have lost even this basic integrity!

They couldn't match the integrity and character of Wang Dao and Xie An, the ancestors of the Jinling Kings!

Despite my earnest persuasion, the two powerful families of Jinling, Wang and Xie, remained adamant and refused to contribute any money.

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Xingzhou's eyes.

He certainly understood what these powerful families in Jinling were stubbornly resisting—if they were forced to bow their heads today by a mere scholar and an article, they wouldn't even have the right to bargain when Governor Wei Guanlan wielded his sword tomorrow!
very good!
Jiang Xingzhou sneered.

This piece, "Black Clothes Lane," is already quite mild in its criticism, giving the Wang and Xie families of Jinling ample face!
Since they're stubbornly refusing to budge and unwilling to spend a fortune to bid for the first treasure!
You ungrateful animal?
Then don't blame him for tearing off another layer of their fig leaf and coming up with an even fiercer and more ruthless one!

Let's see how long you can hold out.
Jiang Xingzhou turned around, gave a slight bow to the Provincial Education Commissioner, and spoke in a clear voice:

"Since you are all not very satisfied with 'Black Clothes Lane'—"

Then let's switch to another one.

What does the Academic Commissioner think?

Before he could finish speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar!
Xie Qihe, Wang Moqing, and the other members of the Wang and Xie families suddenly looked up, their eyes finally showing fear.

He actually wants to write more?!
This "Black Clothes Lane" has already shown its brilliance; if another one were to emerge...

How much dignity do the Wang and Xie families still have left?!
"It seems——"

The Jiangnan provincial education commissioner stroked his beard and chuckled, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Gentlemen, it seems you are not quite satisfied with this poem, 'Black Robe Lane'?"

He turned to look at Jiang Xingzhou, the official seal in his sleeve faintly glowing with a bluish light:
"Since Jiang Lang has such a brilliant pen, then let him compose a new chapter to commemorate this masterpiece!"

Always have to write
The entire hall, filled with noblemen and ladies, bowed low in submission.

"Can!"

Governor Wei Guanlan nodded silently, lowered his eyes and drank his tea, his expression inscrutable as it was reflected in the cup.

Today's banquet is a matter of paramount military and political importance for Jiangnan Province—even through coercion and enticement, we must force the hundreds of powerful clans and aristocratic families of Jiangnan Province to hand over the provisions and wages needed for a 100,000-strong army to wage war for half a year.

The banquet will not end until this matter is resolved.

If this pressure isn't enough, then add more pressure!

If he doesn't subdue the powerful clans of Jiangnan, his career as the governor of Jiangnan Circuit will come to an end.

Jiang Xingzhou's gaze swept across the table, noticing that Prefect Wei Guanlan's expression was solemn and that Education Commissioner Du Jingchen's fingertips were lightly tapping the table, indicating that both had given their permission.

Bowing down completely?!

That's not about making them kneel, it's about breaking the backbone of the powerful clans of Jiangnan!

Jiang Xingzhou no longer hesitated, picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and slowly unfurled a long scroll of plain white Xuan paper on the table.

"Wow!"

The audience erupted in uproar!

Is it going to be a long novel?

The heads of the twelve families of Jinling felt their hearts pound, their eyes darting around like startled birds.

Someone's Adam's apple bobbed as they gestured to each other:
Perhaps... it's better to... spend money to avoid disaster?
They gritted their teeth and offered a few thousand taels, at most ten thousand taels, to bid for "Wuyi Lane" and get away with this fundraising?

Wang Su suddenly sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping across the crowd—

kneel?
If the Jiangnan aristocracy is brought down by a mere scholar today, they will never be able to stand up again! In any case, tonight's "Spring River Banquet" must be endured.

Xie Yuheng remained silent, seemingly still weighing the pros and cons.

Everyone's breath hitched, and they all fell silent, bowing their heads.

Jiang Xingzhou's pen had already fallen to the ground—

[Nian Nu Jiao - Climbing Duojing Tower]

Looking out from the precarious tower, I sigh, how many people throughout history have truly understood this sentiment?
The gods and demons have devised this scheme, mistaking it for the boundaries of the heavens, the southern and northern frontiers.

A river stretches across the landscape, flanked by hills on three sides, creating a sense of rivalry.
Jiang Xingzhou's brushstrokes flow like dragons and snakes, his ink marks sharp as knives.

All the scholars in the room held their breath and listened intently.

These talented young men from Jiangnan, who were all successful candidates in the imperial examinations and were well-versed in poetry and prose, how could they not see the deeper meaning behind it?
Take a look at Jiang Xingzhou's poem.

The moment the title "Duojing Tower" came into view, everyone's hearts tightened—again, it was Jiangnan, the old stories of Jinling! Again, the regrets of the Southern Dynasties!
— Climbing Duojing Tower and gazing out, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. My ambition to launch the Northern Expedition was misunderstood by everyone!

The Yangtze River, with its strategic location "stretched across the land and surrounded by mountains on three sides," could have been a powerful asset for dominating the Central Plains, but instead it was used as an excuse to maintain a separatist regime in the south.

The words clearly hint at something from back then: Wang Dao and Xie An?

Fortunately,

These three sentences, when written down, are still quite tactful.

Although there were innuendos, there was no direct and scathing attack.

The expressions of the heads of the various powerful families softened slightly.

Only,

Wang Su's fingertips trembled slightly, shattering the reflection in the teacup into ripples. Xie Yuheng lowered his eyes and remained silent, only the jade thumb ring in his sleeve cracking as he was gripping it.

Jiang Xingzhou's spearhead was still aimed at the Wang and Xie families!

Jiang Xingzhou paused, then suddenly his pen strokes penetrated the paper—

suddenly,

[What did the Six Dynasties accomplish? Only to serve their own selfish interests!]
This sentence, this stroke of the pen, is like a thunderclap!
Strike at the backbone of the powerful families of Jiangnan!

The powerful clans of Jiangnan, aren't they concerned with maintaining the dignity of a prominent family?

The Wang and Xie families of Jinling, aren't they still standing tall, refusing to yield?!
Let's see how long you can hold out!
"Hi~!"

Upon seeing this sentence, the twelve heads of the Jinling families turned deathly pale, gasped, and stumbled back several steps in shock.

What did the Six Dynasties accomplish? Only to serve their own private interests!
This is a scathing critique—the six dynasties perished because the powerful clans of Jiangnan, for their own selfish interests, led the country astray and ultimately to its demise!

Words and phrases shouldn't be overthought!
Once you think about it deeply,
Such was the case during the Six Dynasties.

So what now?
Will Jiangnan Province, and even the Great Zhou Dynasty, repeat the mistakes of the Six Dynasties because of their selfish schemes?
-
(End of this chapter)