Chương 76: Oiran, Poetry Party

But he still had to maintain a smile on his face:

"You flatter me. It is all thanks to Your Majesty's good fortune and the soldiers' bravery. Liu Ce was just lucky."

"Indeed!" Cao Cao interrupted, filling Yuan Shao's cup as well, and began to speak at length.

"Bo Lue, you have no idea how many legends about you have spread in Luoyang since the news of your investiture spread!"

Some say you are eight feet tall and have a waist circumference of eight feet, and can eat a whole cow in one meal!

Some say you are actually a god descended to earth, and that the Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd was a gift from the Thunder God!

Even more outrageous claims are made, like you can conjure soldiers from beans—but that army is actually just made of paper figures! Hahahaha!

Cao Cao himself was overjoyed when he said it.

Yuan Shao also shook his head with a smile: "These rumors from the streets are absurd and unfounded, but they are enough to show how powerful the Marquis of Champion is now."

Come, let's raise a glass to Champion Hou, firstly to celebrate his great achievement, and secondly to mark our acquaintance today!

The three men clinked glasses and chatted, quickly warming up the atmosphere. Their conversation ranged from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to interesting anecdotes about Luoyang.

Cao Cao vividly recounted how Zhang Rang had recently presented Emperor Ling with several "golden-headed generals" (crickets) that were said to be good at fighting, which made the emperor beam with joy.

Yuan Shao then mentioned a certain arrogant young master who, yesterday, was riding his horse outside the city when it stumbled and fell.

The man and his horse fell into a mud pit where the common people were composting fertilizer. When they were pulled out, the smell was so strong that it lingered for three days, becoming the latest laughing stock in the aristocratic circles.

Cao Cao slammed his fist on the table and laughed wildly, almost knocking the plates off the table.

As Liu Ce listened to the gossip from Luoyang's top circles, he sipped his wine and found it quite interesting, much more relaxing than the intrigues and power struggles in the imperial court.

In fact, Liu Ce had been observing Cao Cao and Yuan Shao all along.

Cao Cao was unrestrained and seemingly without any guile, but the occasional glint of shrewdness in the depths of his eyes showed that he was far more complex than he appeared.

Yuan Shao maintained an elegant demeanor and spoke with great tact, but his sense of superiority from his prestigious family background and his thirst for power were almost ingrained in his very being.

Just as they were chatting enthusiastically, a louder commotion suddenly erupted downstairs, mixed with uproarious laughter and the girls' clear, cheerful shouts and cheers.

"What's going on downstairs? Why is it so lively?" Liu Ce asked curiously. He walked to the window, gently lifted a small part of the delicate bamboo curtain, and looked down.

The spacious lobby on the first floor was now bustling with people, filled with young students dressed in blue robes and wearing square headscarves, as well as many more richly dressed young men carrying folding fans.

They all craned their necks, some holding brushes and paper, others gripping fans and fanning themselves nervously.

All eyes were focused on a small, temporary platform set up in the center of the hall, the scene resembling a contestant rushing to take the imperial examination and vying for the top spot!

Liu Ce asked in bewilderment, "What... what kind of performance art is this?"

Yuan Shao, holding his wine bowl, also leaned towards the window and glanced out. A knowing smile appeared on his face as he waved his feather fan and explained:

"You may not know this, but this is the rule of Zuichunlou, or rather, it is the rule of this Lady Su (the courtesan)."

"Master Su?"

"Exactly."

Cao Cao squeezed in as well, his face saying, "You didn't know?"

"Miss Su Wanqing, the most beautiful courtesan of Zuichunlou, is also the most famous courtesan in Luoyang (she sells her art but not her body)."

Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but she was also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs. In particular, her skill with the zither was said to be able to attract hundreds of birds.

It's difficult for ordinary people to even see her, let alone hear her play the piano or accompany others for drinks.

Yuan Shao picked up the conversation: "Master Su has a refined hobby. Whenever there is a festival or a major event in the world, he will come out and set a question, inviting the guests present to answer it."

If a poem or essay meets her approval, she can be invited to a private room to play a tune on the zither herself, and then they can drink a few cups and have a pleasant conversation. This is an honor that countless scholars and talented men in Luoyang dream of.

Today, presumably because the Yellow Turban Rebellion has been quelled and the world is at peace, Master Su has also come out to join in the fun and exchange poems with friends.

As they were talking, a woman, accompanied by two maids, gracefully walked up to the small platform.

The woman was about eighteen or nineteen years old. She wore a light green gauze dress, had a slender figure, and her black hair was as black as clouds, tied up with a simple jade hairpin.

Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, her lips were naturally red, and what was most wonderful was her temperament, which had a rare scholarly air about her, as well as a kind of gentle beauty that made me feel sorry for her.

Holding a warm, jade flute in her hand, she simply stood quietly on the stage, smiled faintly, and the noisy waves downstairs naturally subsided. Countless gazes instantly focused on her, filled with amazement and infatuation.

Cao Cao nudged Liu Ce with his elbow and whispered:

"Look, this is Su Wanqing, the lady of the house. What do you think? Isn't she different from those ordinary women?"

Liu Ce nodded and objectively commented, "She certainly has an outstanding presence."

He thought to himself, "With looks and charisma, she would definitely be a top-tier internet celebrity or star in later generations. It's such a waste that she's wasted in a place like this."

Su Wanqing bowed slightly to the four directions, her lips parted slightly, and her voice, like pearls falling on a jade plate, was clear and melodious, yet carried a perfectly soft and gentle tone, clearly resounding throughout the hall:

"Gentlemen and talented individuals, today Luoyang is blessed with a gentle breeze and bright sunshine. We have also heard that the Yellow Turban Rebellion has been quelled and the world is at peace again. This is truly a cause for celebration."

In the past, you gentlemen mostly discussed matters of romance and poetry; today, I, Tanqing, presume to suggest a different approach.

She paused, her eyes sweeping over the young faces in the audience—some expectant, some nervous, some trying to appear serious—before continuing:

"I have heard that the soldiers on the front lines fought valiantly, which is why we enjoy peace today. Although I am confined to my room, I yearn for that peace."

How about we use "military" and "battlefield" as the themes today, and invite you gentlemen to display your talents?

Whether it is poetry, lyrics, or prose, it does not need fancy words, but only genuine feelings, and can express some of the spirit of iron horses and golden spears, loyalty and bravery in serving the country.

If I were to receive a fine piece of music, I would be honored to personally grace your private room with my presence, playing the zither to add to the merriment, and sharing a few drinks as a token of my respect. What do you all think?

"good--!"

"Ms. Su's suggestion is brilliant!"

"Let's do as Master Su says!"

Upon hearing this, the entire Drunken Spring Pavilion fell silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers and applause, completely boiling over!

Using "military" and "battlefield" as themes? This is much more difficult than simply composing poems about nature!

But precisely because it is difficult, wouldn't it be more impressive to stand out and win the heart of a beautiful woman?

In an instant, chaos erupted downstairs! The students forgot all about manners; some even lay down on the nearest table, spread out paper and pens, and began to rack their brains, oblivious to the ink stains on their faces.

Some were scratching their heads and muttering to themselves, looking just like they were constipated.

While those young masters from aristocratic families tried their best to maintain their composure, leisurely waving their fans, the eagerness and anticipation in their eyes betrayed them.

Soon, some people couldn't contain themselves and started reciting aloud, trying to take the initiative.