Chapter 1198: Admiration From An Emperor
Translator: Lordbluefire
The third category in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting was calligraphy.
They said that seeing one’s writing was as good as seeing one in person. In the Nine Provinces, one would be mocked for not having good handwriting.
If a person wanted to become good at calligraphy, they’d require time and determination. However, it’d be too simple if it was purely a competition in calligraphy. After all, all of the princes and princesses were good at it.
To add points to ‘good calligraphy’ and allow it to be passed down through the times, one would naturally require to complement it with a good article.
Therefore, the Qi Emperor would come up with the topic for the Calligraphy Battle. The princes and princesses needed to write a good article based on this topic.
The one with the better article would naturally be the winner.
“You are all princes and princesses. Even if you don’t ascend to the throne in the future, you’ll be an important character standing at the very top of a country. Some of your ideals also represent the direction in which your country will move in the future. Therefore, this time around, my topic will be, how do you guys want to build your country?”
The moment the Qi Emperor said this, many people frowned.
This was considered political ideals!
This was a problem that great officials and Saints would consider.
To speak the truth, many emperors didn’t give much thought to this.
“Such a topic will only become empty words!”
Li Xiu shook her head.
When people with power decided on some measures, they wouldn’t share the intent behind implementing such measures with those from the lower echelon. This meant that citizens could only follow and not be told why.
These hidden rules mustn’t be written. This meant that they could only write about their inspirations. But wouldn’t that become empty words?
Reality was like an iron fist that could crush anyone’s inspirations and make them lower their heads.
Anyone had an ideal world in their heart. But reality would teach them what to do. No matter how majestic their inspirations were, they’d eventually just become an ordinary person with no achievements to their name.
“This time around, there’d be no limits to the number of participants. All seven people from each royal prince group can answer the question. The time limit will be two hours!”
The Qi Emperor sat down.
The princes and princesses would be spending two hours on the question, but they couldn’t possibly keep everyone waiting like that. Therefore, the Qi Emperor’s court musicians came on stage.
This band would usually only perform to the dukes and ministers during banquets or festive events. Normal people wouldn’t get to see them. But now, even commoners were given a chance to see them.
“Wow! Look at those dancers! They are all so beautiful!”
“Of course! Which woman that can enter the palace isn’t beautiful?”
“It’s no wonder everyone wants to become the emperor!”
When the commoners saw those beautiful palace maids, they were so jealous that it felt as if their mouths were stuffed with lemons. These were top-notch women that they wouldn’t even be able to touch in their entire life.
Sun Mo drank tea while eating snacks, enjoying the show.
Compared to the modern world’s variety programs, the singing and dancing in this era had more of a traditional charm to them. Sun Mo, a country bumpkin who hadn’t seen such things, enjoyed himself.
The only problem was that these dancers were wearing too many clothes.
“They’ll probably wear fewer when they are performing for the emperor in private, right?”
Sun Mo wanted to see the special version catered only for the emperor.
Li Xiu was very bored. She had long since gotten sick of watching such singing and dancing performances. She was planning to chat with Sun Mo when she saw that he was very interested. Therefore, the eldest princess was stunned.
(What the hell? Are the Qi Country’s women so charming? Hold on…)
(It seems that even after he shot to fame, Sun Mo has only been focused on studying and educating people. It seems that he has never enjoyed a luxurious life?)
Because of Li Ziqi, Li Xiu had sent people to follow Sun Mo before. She remembered that they had reported that he didn’t even visit the brothels.
“This is bad! I’ve neglected to send greetings to Great Teacher Sun! After we go back, I’ll give him a band of court musicians!”
Li Xiu decided.
Although it was very costly to maintain a group of court musicians, Sun Mo was definitely not one who’d be lacking in money.
“Great Teacher Sun, how is This Emperor’s band? Do you like them?”
The Qi Emperor came over, with the empress and Grand Tutor Su following behind him.
Everyone from the spectators’ stand stood up hurriedly and bowed to give their greetings.
“Very good!”
Sun Mo praised.
The Qi Emperor nodded at Li Xiu and Han Cangshui, casually said something as a greeting, and then continued to chat with Sun Mo.
“Which one of them do you think is the prettiest?”
“…”
Sun Mo sneaked a look at the Qi Emperor, not knowing how he should reply. By right, these dancers were all property of the royal family and belonged to the Qi Emperor’s harem. He could shower them with favor as he wished, so Sun Mo didn’t dare to comment on them.
(Talk about an emperor’s woman? Are you sick of life?)
“I’ve tried that lead dancer before! Her body can really take on various poses!”
The Qi Emperor said in a soft voice.
“Your Majesty!”
The empress looked embarrassed and angry, while Grand Tutor Su looked very helpless. The Qi Emperor was known for his impracticality in the Nine Provinces.
“Alright, alright, I know that you great teachers pay attention to your image. I don’t mean anything else by saying this. I just thought that you seem to enjoy looking at them, and I want to give you a few dancers!”
The Qi Emperor explained.
“No need!”
Sun Mo felt bad about accepting.
(But of course, if you insist, I’ll forcibly accept it.)
Sun Mo couldn’t help but throw a glance at that lead dancer. (Forget about that one though. You can keep her for yourself!)
“How could there be any men who don’t like women? Other than eunuchs, even monks are no exceptions!”
The Qi Emperor pouted, feeling that Sun Mo was a little boring. However, thinking about his status, he accepted this. After all, he was the ruler of a country and it was very normal for Sun Mo to not feel at ease around him.
“I’ve told you to take your pick. If you don’t, then I’ll decide by myself!”
The Qi Emperor took a look. “I’ll give this group of court musicians to you!”
“Your Majesty!”
The empress frowned, a little unwilling. This was the Great Qi’s best court musician group that was formed after six years. The members were the best both in looks and talents.
(The most important thing is that if you were to give them to Sun Mo, what would we do for the year-end great event for the country?)
“Your Majesty, thank you for your kind intentions, but this gift is too valuable and I can’t accept it!”
Sun Mo quickly refused.
It was a lie to say that he didn’t want them, but these were living people and Sun Mo, with his upright perspectives, couldn’t accept gifting away people easily as if they were goods.
(Sigh, I’m the light of righteousness!)
“Then what do you think we should do? Should I get people to train a group for you from scratch?”
The Qi Emperor sounded unhappy.
“Great Teacher Sun, since His Majesty has such an intent, you should just accept it.”
Grand Tutor Su persuaded him.
(The Qi Emperor is an emperor who needs to be a man of his words. The fact that he bestows you with a gift is because he admires you and if you keep on rejecting, then you’d get hated.)
“Alright then, I’ll thank Your Majesty!”
Sun Mo cupped his fists together.
“Haha, that’s the way!”
The Qi Emperor smiled happily like a 50-year-old child after gifting away the gift successfully. “I feel like we’re old friends when This Emperor sees you. Why don’t you come to the palace tonight and share a bed with me to deepen our friendship?”
“You f*cking…”
Sun Mo almost cursed out. Thankfully, he knew that the Qi Emperor was just craving for his God Hands. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to go.
“Your Majesty, I have a medicinal packet that is used in a warm water bath. It has an amazing effect on strengthening the body!”
Since the Qi Emperor was so generous, Sun Mo would feel bad if he acted selfishly. “After the Five Empires War Discussion ends, I’ll prepare a special version of the ancient whale oil that is suitable for your body!”
“Excellent! Excellent!”
The Qi Emperor was overjoyed. At the thought of how he could display his great masculine prowess in bed again, he wished that the Five Empires War Discussion could end quickly.
(A special version? Great Teacher Sun, you really know me well!)
“Despicable! Bootlicker!”
When some of the Qi Country’s ministers saw Sun Mo chatting happily with the Qi Emperor and even received a great bestowal, they were so jealous that they felt like spurting blood.
This guy was a foreigner and had just gotten to meet His Majesty. They weren’t on familiar terms at all, but His Majesty was showing him so much favor.
If he were to stay in Qi Country for a few years, he’d definitely become the favorite official.
Li Xiu felt immense pressure.
What should she give to win against the Qi Emperor?
The members of such a court musicians group were selected from across the country. Not only were they beautiful, but they would also need to be very talented. Most importantly, these were beauties from Qi Country.
Men always liked novelty and there was nothing wrong with them liking foreign women.
“Since we can’t beat them in terms of looks and talent, then we can only work on the statuses!”
Li Xiu planned on gifting Sun Mo a princess[1]. However, she had just come to this decision when she heard the Qi Emperor’s question.
“Great Teacher Sun, what do you think of This Emperor’s daughters?”
Li Xiu’s ears immediately perked up.
“Hey, what do you mean by that? This old b*stard wants to give Sun Mo a princess to get into his good books? Why are you so shameless?”
Li Xiu immediately decided to let Ziqi talk bad about the Qi Country’s royalty and mess this plan up.
(Sun Mo is our Great Tang’s shiniest great teacher. We mustn’t let him get snatched away by the Qi Country.)
At the thought of this, Li Xiu threw a glance at Han Cangshui, planning on getting Li Xuan to acknowledge Sun Mo as his teacher, even if it was just in name.
It was better to forge a relationship first.
Han Cangshui sat in a corner and drank wine by himself. He had been utterly embarrassed today.
“Sun Mo, f*ck your mom!”
Han Cangshui felt very helpless. (Just like how a clever housewife can’t cook without rice, I can’t do anything when Li Xuan’s aptitude is this bad. I can’t possibly change his blood, can I?)
“Great Teacher Sun, are these your personal disciples?”
The Qi Emperor looked at Lu Zhiruo and the others. His eyes gleamed. They were so beautiful!
“Yes!”
Sun Mo laughed softly. “Zhiruo, Tantai, you guys come over and pay respect to His Majesty!”
Sun Mo’s students came over and bowed toward the Qi Emperor modestly.
“All of you are young heroes!”
The Qi Emperor waved his hand. “Man, bestow them with great gifts!”
At the sight of this scene, Han Cangshui felt even more jealous.
Given the Qi Emperor’s judgment, how would he be able to tell that these children were geniuses with just a look? The reason he said such things was all on Sun Mo’s account.
It was impossible for the Qi Emperor to keep on staying here. After chatting with Sun Mo for a while, he invited Sun Mo over to the main spectating platform.
Even Sun Mo’s students were invited.
One and a half hours later, the princes and princesses finished their articles in succession.
Xiang Zhao scratched his head. He hated writing about such things the most.
“Time’s up! Stop writing!”
The ceremonial officer announced.
The princes and princesses who hadn’t finished panicked, wanting to write a few more words. However, they were disqualified for that and didn’t even get a chance to get their work rated.
“We’ll be openly assessing the articles next!”
As the ceremonial officer said this, four eunuchs carried a metal device up onto the arena.
This was a projecting device made using projecting stones and weaponsmithing. When a piece of paper was placed onto it, it’d be magnified and projected.
The effect was similar to a movie screen.
“Is there anyone willing to be the first to have their work assessed?”
The Qi Emperor looked at the participants and asked.
[1] Referring to the daughter of high-ranking officials and princes, not the emperor.