12: Chapter 12 Zhao Zilong Offers a Plan to Defeat the Enemy! (Part 1)

Whenever she thought of her father being unable to sleep at night, wiping his precious sword before the lamp with such a sorrowful expression, Cai Wenjing's heart would ache.

"I didn't think there was anyone in this world who understood my father so well. I'll send this poem to my father; he will surely be very happy."

Cai Wenjing raised her hand to wipe the tears from her face.

"Zhao Zilong is a man of great talent, and since he takes my father as a role model, his character surely won't be lacking. I will nurture him well."

She continued to listen.

Inside the Library, Zhao Zilong was also somewhat shocked; he hadn't expected the effect to be even better than he had anticipated.

All he could say was that Mr. Xin was incredible.

The atmosphere inside the Library was now eerily quiet, with only the sounds of Princess Zhu Yunxi and Caiwei's breathing to be heard.

After a long while, Princess Zhu Yunxi finally calmed her emotions. She looked at Zhao Zilong with respect and said, "Lord Zhao's talent is truly admirable."

As she spoke, a hint of doubt flickered in her eyes. "I only wonder how this poem should be promoted to achieve the best effect?"

Zhao Zilong pondered for a moment before saying, "If the Princess is willing to help, then send this poem to the Emperor. Let the Emperor personally present it to Marquis Wulie in front of all the court officials. At that time, I believe this matter will surely spread throughout all of Daye in a very short time."

"That's a good idea, but what about the attribution of the poem?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi asked curiously.

Caiwei was also staring intently at Zhao Zilong. His poem had truly shocked her just now; she never expected a mere clerk from the Fuzheng Division to possess such talent, which took her completely by surprise.

The disdain she felt toward Zhao Zilong for his slight against Song Qiubai also faded significantly, replaced by a sense of admiration.

However, it was now certain that the 'Ode to Marquis Wulie' would become famous throughout all of Daye, and its author would naturally rise to great fame as well.

In Caiwei's view, Zhao Zilong likely intended to use the Princess's hand to make a name for himself, acting out of self-interest.

She felt somewhat uneasy about this.

Outside the door, Cai Wenjing was also very curious about what decision Zhao Zilong would make.

If Zhao Zilong became famous, he would surely enjoy wealth and honor in the future.

No one could refuse such a temptation.

"Princess, you may decide this matter as you see fit. The author of this poem could be Zhang San, Li Si, or even any random person—it all depends on the Princess's mood."

Zhao Zilong said nonchalantly. His indifferent manner gave Princess Zhu Yunxi and Caiwei another shock.

Outside the door, although Cai Wenjing couldn't see Zhao Zilong's expression, she could tell from his tone of voice that he truly didn't care who was named as the author.

"He is actually so indifferent to fame and fortune; it's truly rare."

Cai Wenjing was deeply moved.

"Lord Zhao is indifferent to fame, which is admirable, but wouldn't it be unfair to Lord Zhao if we simply attributed it to someone else?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi said, seemingly feeling indignant on Zhao Zilong's behalf.

Zhao Zilong gave a faint smile and said, "Princess, my purpose in writing this poem was merely to weaken the influence of Song Qiubai's love poems and rouse the passion of the people of Daye. Of course, it was also to express my respect for Marquis Wulie. As for anything else, I do not care."

"To be honest with the Princess, I have never thought of using poetry to become famous. If a day truly comes when I gain fame, I hope it is because I, like Marquis Wulie, have performed great deeds by slaying enemies on the battlefield, rather than relying on a few poems to become a man above others."

"Does Lord Zhao believe that poetry is useless?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi did not agree with Zhao Zilong's viewpoint.

Caiwei was also somewhat displeased, but this time she didn't snap at Zhao Zilong so easily. After all, he did have genuine talent, and she could no longer be as disrespectful as before.

Outside the door, Cai Wenjing listened intently.

She had been truly shaken by Zhao Zilong today, and now she wanted to hear what else he had to say.

"The Princess has misunderstood my meaning. Poetry is naturally useful, and a good poem can have a massive impact. However, my ambitions do not lie in poetry, but in going to the front lines to slay enemies and build a career. What Daye needs most right now is not people who write poems, but people who go to the battlefield."

Zhao Zilong said with a solemn expression.

He was a martial artist now and truly wanted to go to the battlefield to experience what it felt like to be a real man.

"Lord Zhao's ambitions command my respect."

Princess Zhu Yunxi respected Zhao Zilong's thoughts and hadn't expected him to be so passionate and have such deep feelings for Daye.

At this point, Caiwei said, "Lord Zhao, is it possible that you only have this one poem and are afraid you won't be able to produce another? Is that why you don't dare to become famous? Are you afraid of being a flash in the pan?"

"Caiwei, do not be rude."

Princess Zhu Yunxi quickly stopped her. She also had some suspicions of her own, but due to her status, she couldn't say them.

Besides, even if Zhao Zilong only had this one poem, it was enough to prove his talent was excellent.

Caiwei said, "Princess, Caiwei is just curious, so I'm asking Lord Zhao."

"Lord Zhao, is what Caiwei said correct?"

Zhao Zilong laughed, a very bitter laugh. His expression and mannerisms perfectly conveyed the helplessness of being questioned and not recognized.

"What is Lord Zhao laughing at?"

Caiwei was somewhat displeased.

Zhao Zilong's laughter made both Princess Zhu Yunxi and Caiwei feel a bit uneasy. Outside the door, Cai Wenjing was also confused—what was Zhao Zilong laughing about?

Finally, Zhao Zilong stopped laughing. He looked at Caiwei seriously and said, "Miss Caiwei, since you ask, I had no intention of arguing or explaining to you. After all, my heart is not in this, so more words would be useless."

"But upon thinking carefully, I find I must prove something."

"What do you mean?"

Caiwei was puzzled.

Zhao Zilong said, "I'm worried that a woman like you will be led astray by someone like Song Qiubai."

"Lord Zhao, I cannot agree with those words. Setting aside the Talented Scholar Song's character, can we say his poetry is not good? Though he writes of love, it is written so movingly. How am I being led astray?"

Caiwei retorted.

Zhao Zilong said, "Miss Caiwei, you have a point, but in my view, Song Qiubai's talent is merely passable at best. He is unworthy of the title of number one scholar; it is quite a misnomer."

"While there's nothing wrong with writing love poems, Song Qiubai's poems are truly too mediocre; they are simply eyesores."

"Over time, the poems he writes will even lower everyone's standards of appreciation."

"Lord Zhao, isn't that a bit alarmist?"

Caiwei huffed. She had just started to feel some respect for Zhao Zilong, but now this guy was getting ahead of himself. Did he really think he was so much better than the Talented Scholar Song?

He was even criticizing the man now.

"Lord Zhao, the Talented Scholar Song's poems are indeed quite good. In my view, they haven't lowered anyone's standards as you say. Lord Zhao, your words are a bit severe."

Princess Zhu Yunxi had always disliked those who spoke ill of others behind their backs, so she gave Zhao Zilong a warning.

Zhao Zilong looked at the two women and said, "In that case, I have another poem here. Princess and Miss Caiwei, why don't you help me critique it?"

"Was this poem written previously, or...?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi asked calmly.

Zhao Zilong said, "It's inspired by the moment, composed just now."

"Lord Zhao, even if you said it was written before, as long as the poem is good, we would still admire you and wouldn't laugh at you. But now you say it was written just now—aren't you boasting a bit too much?"

Caiwei didn't believe someone could truly compose a poem on the spot. Even if they could, it would definitely not be better than Song Qiubai's.

Zhao Zilong said, "Miss Caiwei, whether this poem was written just now is not for me to say. You will understand after you hear it."

"Fine, I'll listen to what you have to say."

Caiwei snorted.

When Zhao Zilong saw Princess Zhu Yunxi just now, he really did think of a poem. Although he hadn't written it himself, he had recalled it and was now copying it.

He didn't feel embarrassed at all. In Daye, those ancient poets didn't exist. By copying their poems, he wasn't affecting them; on the contrary, he was letting their work be known to more people—wouldn't that be better?

"Clouds call to mind her robes, and flowers her face, / Spring breeze brushes the sill, dew heavy with grace."

"If not on the peaks of Jade Mountain seen, / By the Jasper Terrace, in moonlight, she'll be met."

"This..."

Caiwei's expression was shaken, and she even swayed slightly.

Princess Zhu Yunxi's heart was in turmoil; this poem was too beautiful, so beautiful it was intoxicating.

Outside the door, Cai Wenjing's face was full of shock. "With talent like Zhao Zilong's, only he can be called Daye's number one scholar. Compared to him, Song Qiubai is truly far behind. Zhao Zilong's poetic imagery and choice of words are all top-tier, used to the absolute limit."

"Wait, no, this poem... Zhao Zilong is quite bold. Is he using this poem to confess his love to the Princess?"

"Mr. Li's poetry is truly written so well."

Zhao Zilong hadn't felt much when he read this poem before, but just now, as he read it while glancing at Princess Zhu Yunxi from time to time, he could truly appreciate its imagery.

Beauty, beauty to the extreme!

And whether the poem enhanced the person or the person enhanced the poem, Zhao Zilong found that both were beautiful—the more he read, the more beautiful it became; the more he looked, the more beautiful she seemed.

"Lord Zhao is truly talented; Yunxi is full of admiration. This poem's imagery is truly beautiful and extraordinary."

Princess Zhu Yunxi returned to her senses and spoke slowly.

She had already fallen in love with this poem.

She now truly felt that Song Qiubai's poems were meaningless.

"Princess, Zhao Zilong is being disrespectful to you!"

Caiwei, having come to her senses, suddenly cried out.

Princess Zhu Yunxi was stunned for a moment, and once she realized, her face flushed red instantly.

She suddenly realized that the celestial-like woman in Zhao Zilong's poem was her.

Zhao Zilong had written this poem for her.

Was he trying to express something to her?

Hearing Caiwei's shout, Zhao Zilong was terrified, and sweat immediately broke out on his forehead and back.

"Miss Caiwei, you can't just say things like that; that's a head-rolling matter!"

"Then what did you mean by writing this poem? Weren't you just flirting with the Princess?"

Caiwei huffed. she didn't want to do anything to Zhao Zilong, but she just wanted to scare him. Since he was so good at writing poetry that it made her feel ashamed, she would give him a hard time.

"Miss Caiwei, I am but a lowly clerk; how would I dare flirt with the Princess? I only wrote this poem because I was inspired by the Princess's extraordinary beauty."

"Princess, please be the judge. Where in this poem is there a single offensive word?"

Zhao Zilong was both frightened and furious; he really wanted to pin Caiwei across his lap and give her a sound spanking.

"Caiwei, do not be rude. There are indeed no offensive words in Lord Zhao's poem."

Princess Zhu Yunxi calmed herself, and the blush on her face gradually faded, though the way she looked at Zhao Zilong was clearly different than before.

Just because he saw her, he wrote such a beautiful and extraordinary poem. In Zhao Zilong's eyes, was she really that beautiful?

"Fine, Caiwei understands."

Seeing that Princess Zhu Yunxi had no intention of blaming him, Zhao Zilong breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Caiwei also realized she had gone a bit too far just now. She said, "Lord Zhao's talent is truly admirable. Please forgive my inappropriate behavior just now."

Saying this, she offered a curtsy to Zhao Zilong.

"Miss Caiwei, you're good one moment and bad the next; I'm having a hard time adapting."

Caiwei's personality was too flighty; Zhao Zilong really couldn't get used to it.

Caiwei secretly stuck her tongue out at Zhao Zilong.

"Princess, I shall continue organizing the books and packing them into crates."

As Zhao Zilong spoke, he prepared to resume his work.

Just as he turned around, Princess Zhu Yunxi's voice sounded behind him.

"Since Lord Zhao takes Marquis Wulie as a role model, I would like to know... do you understand Military Strategy?"