Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 354 "Crane Soars to the Sky: A Banquet at the Jade Forest" [Seeking monthly votes!]

Yang Anguo personally escorted Lu Beigu and the others to the gate of the Imperial College, watching this dazzling group set off again.

According to regulations, the newly appointed scholars would then depart from the Imperial College, head west along West Street, then turn north along Ma Jun Ya Street, and finally exit through Shuntian Gate to reach the Qionglin Garden, the royal garden in the west of the city.

The procession was grand and imposing, with banners waving and drums and music playing again.

This was a continuation of the honor of "parading on horseback through the streets," and also a way to allow the newly appointed scholars to display their talents and for the people of the capital to share in the joy.

Lu Beigu still led the way, holding a silk whip and controlling his white horse. His handsome appearance drew gasps of admiration from the Kaifeng people who came to watch along the way.

Compared to the grand scene on the Imperial Street just now, this place was even more spectacular, truly a scene of "the streets empty of people".

As the procession walked along West Street to its end, they came upon an ancient temple nestled among the pines and cypresses, its bells ringing out in the distance. This was Huayan Temple, originally built during the Tang Dynasty, and still a place of great religious significance.

According to the established route, the team needs to turn around here and head north.

The square in front of Huayan Temple is spacious, and the abbot and monks had already stood solemnly outside the gate with their palms together, praying for the newly appointed scholars.

Lu Beigu paused his horse briefly and returned the salute from a distance, showing respect for the tranquil Buddhist sanctuary.

This pause and gesture of respect further demonstrates his knowledge of etiquette and adherence to propriety.

The onlookers, both scholars and commoners, secretly nodded in approval.

The group turned north and headed to Ma Jun Ya Street, which was named after the Ma Jun Ya Street office of the Imperial Guards. The street was lined with the mansions of generals and military officers, and the atmosphere was more solemn than that of West Street.

Between the high walls and deep courtyards, a side gate occasionally opens, revealing young men from military families dressed in martial attire peering out with envious eyes. Their names are called out outside the Donghua Gate, and they are then paraded through the streets on horseback—an experience they could never have in their entire lives.

After walking for a short while, a Taoist temple appeared ahead, with wisps of smoke rising from it. The plaque above read "Yuxiao Temple" in simple, ancient characters.

There were also Taoist priests bowing in front of the temple, and Lu Beigu also performed the same respectful ceremony.

Clearly, this route was meticulously planned, with Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist buildings appearing in sequence, showcasing the imperial court's emphasis on culture and education and its courteous treatment of all parties.

The group paused briefly at this point before turning west.

Walking a short distance west from Shuntianmen Inner Street, about sixty or seventy steps, the majestic Shuntianmen Gate Tower comes into view in the distance.

The imperial guards, having already received orders, bowed respectfully upon seeing the arrival of the top scholar's entourage and opened the city gates.

The procession passed through the deep archway and arrived at Shuntianmen Outer Street, where the view suddenly opened up. The hustle and bustle of the outer city of Tokyo was gradually left behind, replaced by a vast expanse of suburban scenery.

This area is entirely composed of royal gardens, with famous gardens such as Jinming Pond and Qionglin Banquet nearby. There are no private residences at all, so the natural scenery is excellent.

Riding a horse along the main street outside Shuntianmen, the scent of earth mixed with the fragrance of grass wafts towards you. The distant mountains are like dark eyebrows, and the nearby waters are shrouded in mist, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

After traveling another two or three miles, a large garden appeared on the south side of the road.

The gate was magnificent, with stone lions guarding the entrance, and the three gilded characters "Qionglin Garden" on the plaque gleaming in the warm spring sun.

This is Qionglin Garden, a royal garden originally built in the second year of the Qiande era, specifically for hosting banquets for newly appointed scholars. It has a history of nearly a hundred years.

Every year during the imperial examinations, after the results were announced, the emperor would hold a banquet in this garden for the newly appointed scholars, known as the "Qionglin Banquet," which was one of the highest honors that scholars dreamed of.

The garden gates were already wide open, where officials from the Ministry of Rites and eunuchs from the Inner Palace were waiting to greet them.

The group dismounted, straightened their clothes, and entered the garden under guidance.

Upon entering the garden, it feels as if you've stepped into another world.

Pavilions and towers are nestled among blooming flowers and ancient trees, with strange rocks scattered about and winding paths leading to secluded spots.

The most eye-catching sights are the exotic flowers and plants planted everywhere, mostly southern varieties, which bloom in Tokyo's spring, displaying a riot of colors and a subtle fragrance.

Peonies are magnificent, peonies are delicate and beautiful, and magnolias are as white as snow and as white as jade.
There were also many rare flowers whose names they did not know, which attracted the scholars to stop and admire them, marveling at their beauty.

A babbling stream flows through the garden and into a lake called "Moon Pond". Although this lake is not as vast and blue as Jinming Pond to the north, its surface is like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, red railings and painted beams. Occasionally, swans and mandarin ducks swim leisurely in it, making it more charming than Jinming Pond.

"Truly a paradise on earth!"

Su Shi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

He has always loved beautiful scenery, and now, having just recovered from his illness, he felt even more delighted to see the spring scenery in this garden.

Su Zhe nodded and said, "The fact that His Majesty has bestowed this banquet upon us shows the high expectations he has for us."

Lu Beigu didn't speak. He stopped and looked around. He saw the spring sun shining on the lush flowers and trees, and the distant lake and mountains complementing the nearby palaces and pavilions. The entire Qionglin Garden was like a meticulously painted brocade scroll.

As the group walked along the winding jade path, they frequently saw exquisite pavilions and terraces, such as "Xiefang Pavilion" and "Tanxing Pavilion," which were places where top scholars and successful candidates in the imperial examinations of past dynasties lingered and wrote poems.

The garden is filled with ancient trees, many of which are tied with red ribbons. It is said that these ribbons were tied by the successful candidates in the imperial examinations to commemorate their special opportunity and to pray for a smooth career in the future.

Finally, the group was led to the main building of Qionglin Garden, Qionglin Hall.

Although this hall is not as grand as the palace halls, it is exceptionally exquisite and magnificent. It is surrounded by corridors and in front of the hall is a very spacious square with colorful pebbles paved in auspicious patterns.

At this time, hundreds of wooden tables had been set up in the square, covered with bright yellow tablecloths, displaying exquisite Ding kiln porcelain tableware and silver spoons and chopsticks. Palace servants were moving among them, serving them wine first.

The air was filled with the aroma of wine and the fragrance of flowers, creating a luxurious atmosphere unique to royal banquets.

As the top scholar, Lu Beigu was naturally led to the front, near the throne in the main hall.

The music began slowly, melodious and elegant, foreshadowing the imminent start of the grand banquet.

More than 300 newly appointed scholars took their seats according to their rankings, and everyone's face was filled with excitement.

They are about to enjoy the supreme glory of being "disciples of the emperor" in this century-old garden. What they will taste is not only royal delicacies, but also the sweetness of finally standing out after years of hard study.

As the music and rituals gradually subsided, a clear and melodious sound of bells and chimes emanated from the Qionglin Hall, and the hall doors slowly opened.

"Your Majesty has arrived——!"

After that sound, the entire Qionglin Garden Square fell silent instantly, and even the rustling of the wind through the flowers and trees could be clearly heard.

Several high-ranking eunuchs led the way, and then Emperor Zhao Zhen appeared under the porch of Qionglin Palace.

He was not wearing elaborate court attire, but only a casual outfit and a soft-brimmed turban, which made him appear less dignified and more approachable than when he took the palace examination.

However, even in simple attire, the air of superiority that one has long held still emanates from him.

"Today's grand banquet is to reward your hard work in studying. There is no need to be overly formal."

These words immediately eased the tension considerably. The scholars thanked the emperor in unison, straightened up slightly, but still maintained a respectful posture.

Zhao Zhen did not ascend the throne, but instead, supported by Deng Xuanyan, slowly walked towards the banquet area. His gaze slowly swept over the scholars in the front row, landing on the top scholar Lu Beigu, and he asked.

"Scholar, is the scenery of Qionglin Garden to your liking?"

Lu Beigu respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the Qionglin Garden is bathed in the bright spring sunshine, with a hundred flowers blooming in competition, creating a magnificent scene. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's gracious banquet."

"well."

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly, a slight smile appearing on his face.

"Today's banquet is to celebrate your achievements. I hope that when you enter the court in the future, you will be like the fine trees in this garden, providing shade for the country."

His gaze then turned to Zhang Heng, Dou Bian, and others beside him, offering a few words of encouragement to each of them. Though his words were brief, they made each of the selected scholars feel incredibly honored.

Then, a eunuch brought out a jade plate with an exquisite jade cup on it.

Deng Xuanyan personally took the pot and filled a cup with the imperial wine, which was amber in color and had a delicate aroma.

Zhao Zhen took the wine cup and raised it to everyone: "I have caught a cold and should not drink too much. I offer this cup to congratulate you all on passing the imperial examination and wish you all a bright future!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

More than three hundred scholars responded in unison, their voices rising like a tidal wave, as they all raised their wine cups.

Zhao Zhen took a small sip and then put the wine cup down.

Next came the actual banquet.

The palace servants, who had been waiting for orders, began to serve the dishes in an orderly manner, starting with an appetizer soup and cold dishes.

Before each person, a warm and lustrous Ding kiln white porcelain covered bowl was placed. Lu Beigu lifted the lid and saw that it was "quail soup". This was a rich soup made with shredded quail breast as the main ingredient, along with shredded bamboo shoots and mushrooms, and simmered in a rich broth. The soup was fragrant and delicious, meant to whet the appetite.

There are also three exquisite cold dishes: one is "Handwashed Crab," which is made by marinating fresh river crabs with wine, salt, orange peel, and other ingredients, resulting in sweet and tender crab meat with a rich aroma of wine; another is "Scallion-Drenched Rabbit," where tender rabbit meat is served cold with scallion oil, which is spicy and appetizing; and the last is "Plum and Ginger," which is sweet and sour and refreshing, used to cleanse the palate.

Next comes the main course, which symbolizes good fortune.

The first dish served was "Fish and Bamboo Shoots in Harmony," made with freshly caught carp from the Yellow River after the ice jam season. It was braised and incredibly delicious, with bamboo shoots placed underneath the fish, symbolizing "abundance year after year and continuous advancement." Next was "Spring Pigeon Slices," made with plump pigeon breast meat from spring, finely sliced ​​and stir-fried over high heat. The meat was extremely tender and delicious, a delicacy recorded in the Book of Rites, highlighting ancient etiquette. Then there was "Lamb Tripe Soup," made by simmering morel mushrooms and tender lamb belly together. The mushrooms were fragrant, the lamb was tender, and the soup was rich and flavorful, a nourishing delicacy for spring in the north.

The seasonal vegetables included a dish of "Spring Heart Vegetables," made from the tenderest mustard hearts in early spring, lightly blanched in boiling water and then served cold, which was refreshing and helped to cut through the richness. There was also a dish of "Braised Bamboo Shoots," made from early-blooming bamboo shoots grown in the greenhouses of the garden, which was also fresh and crisp.

In addition to the common fragrant rice, the staple food also includes "plum blossom soup cake", which is a type of rice cake made by cooking dough pieces in broth in the shape of plum blossoms. There is also "steamed rice cake in a clay pot" with a light sweet aroma.

Although these dishes do not pursue rare and exotic delicacies, they embody seasonality, etiquette, and craftsmanship in every aspect. They not only showcase the wealth and grandeur of the imperial family but also maintain an elegant style, allowing the newly appointed scholars to deeply feel the honor of being "disciples of the emperor."

As the banquet began, Qionglin Garden was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter.

Emperor Zhao Zhen sat in the main seat. Although his face still showed some signs of fatigue from his illness, he saw many talented people in the garden drinking and chatting happily. In this very relaxed environment, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the garden, and palace maids with colorful sleeves fluttered in the breeze.

Some of the scholars, flushed with wine, clapped along with the music, completely immersed in the joy of "seeing all the flowers of Chang'an in one day".

As the top scholar in the imperial examination, Lu Beigu was naturally the focus of everyone's attention.

His ears were slightly flushed, but his mind remained clear. He responded to toasts and congratulations from all sides with composure and grace.

The brand-new green robe accentuated his handsome face, and the imperial gold lychee belt at his waist shimmered in the light, adding to his noble air.

Emperor Zhao Zhen couldn't resist and drank two more cups of wine.

As Zhao Zhen looked at the lively scene before him, his gaze lingered on Lu Beigu for a moment. Seeing that Lu Beigu was well-mannered and handled things appropriately, Zhao Zhen felt even more fond of him.

Perhaps slightly tipsy, or perhaps just in high spirits, Zhao Zhen suddenly whispered a few words to Deng Xuanyan beside him.

Deng Xuanyan understood, bowed and accepted the order. He then walked to the imperial steps, cleared his throat, and announced loudly, "His Majesty has decreed that today's grand banquet at Qionglin is a gathering of distinguished scholars, young and old alike. It is fitting that there be no masterpiece to commemorate this occasion. I have heard that the newly appointed top scholar, Lu Beigu, is exceptionally talented in literature. Therefore, I have specially ordered him to compose a poem on the spot to enhance the refined atmosphere, for all of you to enjoy!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Lu Beigu.

Composing poems on the spot is a common occurrence at the Imperial Banquet, but to be personally selected by the Emperor, especially while the Emperor is still seated, signifies an extraordinary honor.

Upon hearing the imperial decree, Lu Beigu felt a slight chill. He immediately stood up, straightened his robes, and bowed deeply towards the throne: "Your subject Lu Beigu receives the decree."

He did not immediately begin writing. Instead, he picked up the jade cup in front of him, bowed slightly in the direction of the official, and then drank the remaining wine in the cup in one gulp.

The imperial wine was mellow and sweet, yet it stirred up a surge of heroic spirit as it went down the throat.

Lu Beigu took a deep breath and looked around. He saw that the pavilions and terraces in the garden were like jade palaces, and the surrounding willows and crabapple blossoms made it seem like a paradise.

Just then, a flock of white cranes soared into the sky, gracefully gliding over the garden and flying straight towards Jinming Pond in the north.

The cranes swayed gracefully, their calls clear and melodious, creating a wonderful contrast with the hustle and bustle within the garden.

The shimmering light of the Moon Pond in the distance seemed to reflect the vast world he would roam in the future.

What kind of poem should I write?

Once the idea took hold, he chose the title "Crane Soaring to the Sky" almost without hesitation.

Lu Beigu moved to the desk specially set up below the imperial steps, spread out Xuan paper, flattened it with a paperweight, picked up a purple-haired brush, dipped it in thick ink, hesitated for a moment, and then wrote with lightning speed.

With a flourish of his brush, lines of vigorous and elegant running script leap onto the paper.

"The Crane Soars to the Sky: A Poem Composed at the Jade Forest Banquet"

The sun shines warmly on the apricot beams, and the imperial wine ripples like golden waves. A crane soars high beyond the clouds, and the heavenly breeze is refreshing.

A young man on a green horse, enjoying the fragrance of osmanthus in the moon palace. Where have he sought immortal realms? Parting amidst the willow smoke, a garden of blossoming crabapple leaves begins to bloom.

"The inkstone and the dragon's image cannot compare to the poetic sentiment of a thousand peaks. The autumn of the five lakes is depicted by the brush, with mist and clouds swirling."

Intoxicated by the grand scrolls of mountains and rivers, the whale-riding traveler expresses his heroic melancholy.

My life's ambitions are lofty. One day, when I am ennobled, I will witness the mighty roar of the sea!

[Volume 3, "The Crane Soars to the Sky," is now complete.]

(End of this chapter)