Strange Tales: You're an Official, but you're raising a bunch of Demonessess? - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Drunkenness and the Sword

In the first segment, Lan Su ignored the rigid assessment of basic knowledge in the “Four Books and Five Classics” and swiftly transitioned to the next section.

For the second set of questions on poetry, participants were tasked with crafting a poem on the theme of a general’s conquest on the battlefield. Here’s Bai Yu’s response:

Minister’s Reply: In a drunken haze, by the lamp, swords are examined, dreams echo, and horns blow in a continuous camp.

Eight hundred miles unfold under the blazing command. Fifty strings resonate beyond the frontier’s clamour. Autumn marks the deployment on the sandy battleground.

The horse of the dashing Lu flies swiftly, and the bow like thunder startles the string. Resolving the world’s affairs for the sovereign, winning fame in life and after death, pity the premature greying of once vibrant hair.

The examination of literature naturally attracts scholars, and the second poetry question challenges them from a military perspective to capture the fervour of the battlefield.

Many experiences could only be truly understood through firsthand encounters. Scholars, confined to the wisdom of the sages, might struggle to grasp the essence of the battlefield.

Bai Yu suggested allowing them to write about wonders, beauty, the vibrant world, and the aspirations of being an official. Although their literary skills were profound, understanding the cruel and heroic nature of the battlefield proved challenging.

While scholars might excel in various topics, the battlefield’s brutal beauty and vast passion were beyond their comprehension. Bai Yu effortlessly completed the task, even finding it one of the fastest.

Copying became easy, and Bai Yu could effortlessly produce over a dozen poems. However, his personal favourite was the one that resonated with the impact of time.

The emperor, upon reading the text, was deeply moved. Lan Su’s initially plain expression became increasingly complex as he delved into the powerful words that had weathered the test of time.

In a trance, he envisioned a white-haired veteran alone in the night camp, staring blankly at the sword. It felt like he had returned to a military career, leading millions in battles, defending the homeland, and facing fierce combat until ageing and greying.

The war scenes of horses neighing and arrows flying vividly portrayed the hero’s dedication to the country, winning glory in life and noble honours posthumously. Lan Su, observing from the perspective of a king being served, couldn’t help but empathise with the profound power of the moving words.

The lines effortlessly penetrated his soul, and as he snapped back to reality, he found his eyes slightly misty. The poem depicted a veteran sacrificing everything for the nation, deeply touching the king’s heart.

The poem captured the grandeur and brutality of military life. It conveyed the sincere dedication of a general sacrificing time and life for the empire, revealing the helplessness of defeated heroes over time. It seemed effortlessly resonant.

“Magnificent words… truly magnificent,” he murmured, unable to contain his admiration. Despite undervaluing poetry in the past, the depth and power of this composition compelled him to reassess.

Lan Su, who believed talent didn’t necessarily equate to ability, had allocated poetry a minimal score percentage. However, faced with such a soul-stirring poem, he couldn’t deny its unique power, appreciating the literary charm.

The strange contrast was evident—this captivating piece wasn’t the creation of an aged veteran but a 16-year-old youth. Lan Su marvelled at the boy’s genius, questioning whether he truly had military experience or came from a simple background. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the poem’s impact, realising that Bai Yu’s test paper likely deserved the top spot.