Chapter Nine: Sword!

Zhongli You also smiled faintly. He had originally planned to set a question himself to test Jiang Han, but Yuan Bin’s choice wasn’t without merit.

Yuan Bin was acting on impulse, hoping to challenge Jiang Han. If Jiang Han could truly compose poetry on the spot, it would prove he was genuinely talented.

But if Jiang Han failed or produced a poor poem, it would suggest that the three poems he recited earlier were likely plagiarized.

Upon hearing Jiang Han’s words, Yuan Bin couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. The question was from last year’s autumn imperial examination. It wasn’t particularly difficult, but this young man had confidently claimed he could compose a poem offhand. Poetry was never that easy to create!

“Brother Jiang, you truly have great talent if you can compose without careful thought,” Yuan Bin said with a sarcastic tone.

Jiang Han smiled and replied, “True literature is born naturally; a master’s skill is sometimes a fortunate gift. Why bother with careful thought? I, Jiang, will compose at will.”

He then looked up to the sky, his expression thoughtful.

Zhongli You’s eyes brightened, thinking, “What a perfect phrase — ‘True literature is born naturally; a master’s skill is sometimes a fortunate gift.’ Regardless of whether this young man can compose now, his words already show considerable talent.”

At this moment, a graceful figure appeared not far off. It was Qin Yunmian.

Looking up and seeing the venerable Zhongli, Qin Yunmian was slightly stunned. Why were Zhongli and Yuan Bin here?

Jiang Han also noticed Qin Yunmian and his eyes brightened. Today, Qin Yunmian wore a pale moon-white long gown, her hair simply tied up with a jade hairpin, and she stepped lightly in a pair of deerskin boots. The hem of her dress fluttered, and a fragrant breeze brushed his face.

Her steps were light and elegant, and her clear, bright eyes wandered curiously, as if wondering why there were three people gathered here.

Those deerskin boots seemed to step straight onto his heart. Even though Jiang Han had seen many beauties in his previous life, his heartbeat quickened at this moment.

He quickly withdrew his gaze and returned to pondering which poem would be suitable.

Zhongli You looked at Qin Yunmian and smiled without summoning Princess Youwei. “Miss Qin.”

Yuan Bin had been watching Qin Yunmian since her arrival. He fancied himself a refined scholar and had met many women, but even he felt a touch of awe at this princess. Unfortunately, the princess had neither admired his poetry nor paid attention to him personally.

“Venerable Zhongli,” Qin Yunmian’s clear eyes swept across the three men, puzzled. “What are you all doing here?”

Yuan Bin, still somewhat resentful over losing the literary gathering with that poem “Long Yearning,” smiled and said, “Just now, Venerable Zhongli was chatting with Brother Jiang. Brother Jiang said he is not unwilling to take the imperial exams and serve as an official, but refuses to bow and scrape before the powerful or sell himself for five bushels of rice...”

He paused abruptly, noticing a flicker of interest in Qin Yunmian’s eyes, and hurried on, “I recalled a difficult poetry question from last year’s autumn exam and wanted to ask Brother Jiang for help. Unexpectedly, Brother Jiang said he could compose a poem on the spot... Miss, would you like to hear Brother Jiang’s masterpiece?”

His tone was laced with mockery, eager to see Jiang Han fail and make a fool of himself in front of Qin Yunmian.

Qin Yunmian’s gaze fell on Jiang Han’s face, curiosity evident. “What’s the topic?”

“Sword,” Yuan Bin said with a sly smile. “Brother Jiang, have you thought it through?”

Jiang Han ignored Yuan Bin’s sarcastic tone and looked at the old man in surprise. He hadn’t realized that this old man was actually a great scholar!

The Great Yu valued literary arts highly. Anyone called a great scholar was a learned man steeped in poetry and classics. If the wealthy young lady’s words were true, this old man’s status was indeed remarkable.

He smiled and said, “I have it! With ‘sword’ as the theme, I shall compose a poem titled ‘The Swordsman.’”

He then recited loudly, “Ten years to sharpen a sword.”

Zhongli You nodded slightly. Yuan Bin scoffed inwardly; the first line was so plain and straightforward.

“The frost-edged blade yet untried,” Jiang Han turned slowly to face the three, eyes bright, and declared loudly, “Today, I present it to you all — who dares to bring injustice upon me?”

As his voice faded, Zhongli You couldn’t help but applaud. “Excellent poem!”

His eyes shone brightly. In just twenty characters, the poem depicted a swordsman who had spent ten years honing his blade, waiting for the day to unsheathe and sweep away all injustice.

It was a poem that made one exhale pent-up frustrations and feel a great sense of satisfaction.

Moreover, Jiang Han’s poem was not just about a sword — it was about himself!

He had concealed his talents for over ten years, masking them behind apparent mediocrity, never revealing his true ability. Now, he truly made a stunning debut!

Qin Yunmian stared at Jiang Han, dazed.

Yuan Bin wore a face of disbelief. The more he savored these four lines, the more he realized that although the poem was brief and direct, it was truly excellent.

After the autumn exam question was announced last year, he had composed a poem himself that he had been proud of — but compared to Jiang Han’s, it was like clouds and mud.

And Jiang Han had composed his poem offhand, while Yuan Bin had spent a full half-hour struggling!

Zhongli You praised, “A fine poem, truly a fine poem! Jiang Han, with such talent, even if you do not take the imperial exams, you will never be overlooked!”

Jiang Han hurriedly replied, “You overpraise me, sir. I have but a little ink in my belly, which just happened to be useful at this moment.”

Hearing this, Zhongli You’s admiration grew. This young man was not only talented but also modest. Very good, very good!

“That little ink of yours is extraordinary! Jiang Han, I will make sure this poem is included in the Great Yu Anthology!” Zhongli You said with a smile.

At these words, Yuan Bin was startled again. The poem “Long Yearning” had already been accepted for the Great Yu Anthology, and now this poem too? Could Jiang Han have two poems included this year?

Jiang Han was overjoyed. He knew the Great Yu Anthology was a prestigious collection. For this old man to promise to have his poem included meant he truly was a great scholar.

Zhongli You glanced at Qin Yunmian and smiled. “I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave. Jiang Han, I will visit you again another day.”

Jiang Han quickly said, “Please take care, sir. When you visit my humble abode, I will be sure to welcome you with utmost respect.”

Zhongli You departed with a smile on his face.

Today’s purpose was accomplished: not only was Jiang Han’s talent confirmed, but it was clear from the poem that he had concealed his gifts for over a decade!

Ten years to sharpen a sword, finally unsheathing it at this moment — such perseverance was truly astounding.

But why had he hidden his talent all these years? That was worth pondering.

Watching Zhongli You leave, Jiang Han asked, “May I ask, Miss, who is this venerable gentleman?”

Qin Yunmian was momentarily stunned. “You don’t know his identity yet?”

She spoke softly, “He is one of the Seven Great Families of Great Yu, a contemporary great scholar. He once served as the Sima (military governor) of Yangzhou before retiring to travel the world leisurely...”

“Ah!” Jiang Han was dumbfounded. The man’s status was so eminent. He was truly a titan of the literary world. Had he known earlier, he would have composed several poems to curry favor with him!