roccoschili Chapter 85 needs a good poem.
Chapter 85 needs a good poem.
Chapter 85 needs a good poem.
As dusk deepened, the carriage from the Prince Duan's residence came to a steady stop at the side gate of the Zhao residence.
Zhao Mingcheng got out of the carriage, bid farewell to the eunuch who was driving, and personally saw the carriage off into the depths of the alley before turning around and going inside.
In his hands was a contract that had just been drafted by the steward of the Prince Duan's residence and stamped with the Prince Duan's private seal, as well as the keys to the addresses of five shops.
These are the shops that Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) entrusted to him.
Emperor Huizong's generosity and trust were even more thorough than he had anticipated.
He returned to his study, dismissed the servants, and left only a lamp on.
Zhao Mingcheng put the contract and key into an inconspicuous box, placing it next to the box containing the important documents brought back from Hehuang.
He sat behind his desk, but his thoughts were entirely on the eight hundred boxes of incense and the possible, continuous flow of goods in the future.
The goods are of good quality, and the distribution channels are in our own hands. The Duanwang brand and storefronts are readily available platforms.
But how to make this snow-covered fragrance an instant hit?
And how can it be sold at its due price, or even beyond expectations, in Bianjing, a place accustomed to rare treasures and luxurious gatherings from all over the world?
The mere reputation of the Prince Duan's residence might attract a wave of curious nobles.
However, it may not be able to create a lasting trend, nor may it be able to truly establish the "Ningxiang" brand and sell at such astonishingly high prices.
He needed something more "refined," something that could directly touch the most sensitive parts of the hearts of the literati, officials, and noblewomen of this era—a "stepping stone."
poetry!
These two words suddenly popped into Zhao Mingcheng's mind.
The Song Dynasty was already a flourishing center of literature; a single fine lyric could cause a paper shortage in Luoyang.
If Ningxiang were paired with a good poem, its price would more than double.
But Zhao Mingcheng also knew that with his limited knowledge of poetry, he was only good enough to write policy essays and official documents.
To write such exquisite lyrics that could be sung throughout Bianjing and leave people in awe is simply beyond my capabilities.
So, who can write it?
Who is most suitable to write about this fragrant essence?
A name came to mind almost immediately—Li Qingzhao.
It's not just because of Li Qingzhao's talent.
Furthermore, in Bianjing during the second year of the Yuanfu era, when it came to writing lyrics, virtually no one could surpass Li Qingzhao.
Those who wrote better than Li Qingzhao were either already dead, too far from Bianjing (Su Shi), or not yet born (Xin Qiji).
Moreover, the Li family was a scholarly and noble family, and although Li Qingzhao was a woman, her talent was already well-known in certain circles.
It is neither too high-profile nor too eye-catching, yet it can precisely influence those discerning and affluent individuals.
More importantly, Li Jiong was his classmate and close friend, and a man of integrity and reliability.
It was reasonable for Li Jiong to have his cousin write an inscription for a box of novel spices. This would not attract attention and would also avoid many unnecessary troubles related to avoiding suspicion between men and women.
With his mind made up, Zhao Mingcheng felt relieved.
He got up and took out another unopened box of Ningxiang from his luggage. He carefully examined the simple packaging and pondered what he would say when he went to the Imperial Academy the next day.
The next day, the weather was overcast with no sun in sight, and a dry, cold north wind swirled across the Imperial Street.
Zhao Mingcheng, wearing his school uniform and carrying Ningxiang, headed towards the Imperial Academy.
Although he now holds the honorary title of Chengfeng Lang and the glory of the Purple Gold Fish Bag.
But in essence, he was still a student of the Imperial Academy, only granted special permission due to his merits, which gave him much more freedom of movement, and he no longer had to go to the Imperial Academy to study every day.
Returning to this highest institution of learning in Bianjing, looking at the familiar plaque of the Imperial Academy and the faces of students coming and going, some young and some mature, I felt as if I had been transported to another world.
He didn't go to the lecture hall, but went straight to the west dormitory.
Li Jiong was a quiet person who disliked crowds and usually stayed in his study to read.
Sure enough, as soon as they arrived near the row of dormitories where Li Jiong lived, they saw him carrying a basin of water out of the room, about to splash it on the corner of the wall.
"Wenruo!" Zhao Mingcheng called out.
Li Jiong turned his head upon hearing the voice and saw Zhao Mingcheng. A surprised smile immediately appeared on his face, and his hand trembled, almost spilling the water in the basin onto his feet.
"Brother Defu!"
He quickly put down the wooden basin, wiped his hands on his clothes, and hurried to greet him. "You're back! I heard you returned to the capital a few days ago, but I thought you must be very busy, so I didn't dare to disturb you. Come in and sit down!"
Li Jiong was very hospitable, leading Zhao Mingcheng into his small, neatly arranged study room, which was filled with a scholarly atmosphere, and hurriedly poured him water.
His joy was genuine, reflecting the closeness of classmates reuniting after a long separation.
"I just finished some chores yesterday, so I came to see you." Zhao Mingcheng smiled as he accepted the rough porcelain teacup, sat down in the only chair, and looked around. "You're still the same, the whole room smells of books. How's your studies going lately?"
"Sigh, it's nothing more than classical texts and policy discussions." Li Jiong sat down on the edge of the bed opposite him, smiling somewhat embarrassedly.
"I cannot compare to Brother Defu, who has made outstanding contributions abroad. We have all heard that His Majesty personally bestowed upon him the Purple Gold Fish Bag after the great pacification of the Hehuang region. I admire him greatly."
"What merit is there? It was just that I happened to be there and did what I was supposed to do."
Zhao Mingcheng waved his hand, not wanting to discuss this further, and changed the subject, "But you, Wenruo (Li Jiong's courtesy name), how have you been lately? Is everything alright at home? Is your uncle still in good health?"
"I'm so glad you're healthy, Brother Defu." Li Jiong nodded, a gentle smile on his face.
"That's my cousin. She caught a cold a few days ago, but she's fully recovered now. It's just that my uncle is keeping her from playing in the cold, so she's been feeling quite bored these days."
Zhao Mingcheng went along with it.
"Speaking of which, I brought back a little trinket from the Hehuang region this time. I found it quite interesting and thought you might like it, Wenruo, so I brought it here today."
As he spoke, Zhao Mingcheng took out the small box wrapped in blue cloth from his pocket and handed it over.
"What is this?" Li Jiong took it with some doubt. It felt slightly heavy in his hand. He untied the cloth bag and revealed a small black box inside.
"Open it and take a look," Zhao Mingcheng gestured.
Li Jiong opened it as instructed, and inside were more than a dozen incense pills. Immediately, a delicate fragrance wafted into his nostrils.
"This is... spices?"
He looked up and asked, then caught the faint, unique, cool fragrance. His eyes lit up. "What a peculiar scent! It's neither like an orchid nor a plum blossom, cool yet warm—is it from the Hehuang region?"
"That's right, the locals call it Ningxiang." Zhao Mingcheng took out a little bit, just like yesterday, scraped a small amount into Li Jiong's palm, and gestured for him to rub it and smell it carefully.
Li Jiong did as he was told, bringing his palm close to his nose, closing his eyes, and taking a deep breath. A look of rapture appeared on his face. After a while, he opened his eyes and exclaimed, "What a fragrance! It's clear and refreshing, with a long-lasting aftertaste, and it even has a calming effect. This fragrance is far superior to anything from the common market. Where did Brother Defu obtain it?"
"By chance, I obtained some raw materials and ancient recipes in the Hehuang region, and found someone to try and combine them."
Zhao Mingcheng spoke vaguely, then sighed, revealing a hint of difficulty, "The fragrance is wonderful, but—I'm facing a problem now, and I'd like to ask Wenruo for your help."
"Brother Defu, please speak freely, as long as it is within my power." Li Jiong immediately put down the incense pill. He was an honest man, and Zhao Mingcheng was a friend he admired. Zhao Mingcheng had just returned after making great contributions, so he would naturally do his duty to ask him for help.
"That's right," Zhao Mingcheng organized his thoughts, trying to speak naturally, "After I made this incense, I thought of selling it in the capital, but I felt that this incense was so good, and if there were no matching poems or verses to enhance it, it would be a pity, like a bright pearl covered in dust."
I am well aware of my own limitations; I am truly not skilled in poetry. If I were to force myself to write a poem, I fear it would be disrespectful to this fragrance. Therefore, I would like to request a poem praising this fragrance.
Li Jiong nodded. He knew that Zhao Mingcheng was good at policy discussions and practical matters, but poetry was not his forte.
Zhao Mingcheng continued.
"Although there are many talented scholars and famous people in Bianjing, they are either renowned and not easy to befriend, or the price they pay is too high, which defeats the purpose."
After much thought, I suddenly remembered that your younger sister is exceptionally talented and quite famous in the literary circles of Bianjing. If I could ask her to taste this incense and compose a few lines in its honor, regardless of the specific poem or verse, as long as it captures the essence of the fragrance, it would be an immense blessing for this fragrant incense.
"Please ask my sister to write an inscription?" Li Jiong was taken aback, clearly not expecting this request.
He frowned slightly and pondered, "This—my younger sister does indeed love poetry, and occasionally enjoys brewing incense and tasting tea. However, she is, after all, a young lady confined to her chambers; to inscribe poems for external objects might be—"
Li Jiong was worried about the issue of etiquette and moral principles.
Zhao Mingcheng had anticipated this response and said sincerely.
"Wenruo, you are overthinking it. I don't want your sister to sign or inscribe anything. I just feel that the fragrance and the elegance and grace in your sister's poems are quite compatible."
Perhaps your younger sister could sample the fragrance and then jot down a few words of impression, even if it's just a fragment. To me, it would be a treasure, which could then be engraved on the incense box or printed on stationery, as a touch of refined elegance to this fragrant treat. That's all. This is a matter between you and me, and will absolutely not tarnish your younger sister's reputation.
Seeing that Li Jiong was still hesitating, he added fuel to the fire and laughed.
"Furthermore, Wenruo, have you forgotten? Your sister also read my crude policy essays and even asked you to pass on a message. I remember it clearly and have always been grateful to her."
This is my way of returning the favor; by inviting her to sample this exotic fragrance from the borderlands, I might even gain some insightful observations that could benefit my efforts to improve the incense. Besides, I don't think your sister is the kind of woman who's bound by traditional, conservative views; she might very well enjoy such refined pursuits.
This last sentence subtly points out Li Qingzhao's extraordinary nature and also reveals Li Jiong's thoughts.
Li Jiong recalled the bright eyes his cousin had when she talked about poetry and literature, and the excitement she felt when she read about new and interesting things.
Then, considering Zhao Mingcheng's earnest words and thorough consideration, it seemed—it wasn't entirely impossible.
The hesitation on Li Jiong's face gradually faded. He looked at the faintly fragrant nectar in his hand, then at Zhao Mingcheng's expectant and sincere gaze, and finally nodded.
"What Brother Defu said makes sense. My sister does indeed love these elegant things. This fragrance is special and may inspire her to write poetry."
Zhao Mingcheng was secretly delighted, but he didn't show it on his face, and just smiled.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Wenruo. Please take this box of Ningxiang back with you so your younger sister can try it out."
If she finds it acceptable, please feel free to write a few lines, without any formality. If she finds it uninteresting, or is too busy, there's absolutely no pressure. This incense will be given to her for her enjoyment; it's a small token of my appreciation that I brought back from the Hehuang region.
His words were beautifully and thoughtfully spoken, without any hint of coercion.
Li Jiong was completely relieved and smiled.
"Brother Defu, you're too kind. This is a precious item, and I will certainly pass it on. It just so happens that the Imperial Academy is closed tomorrow, and I was just about to go home. I'll ask my sister for her opinion on your behalf."
"Then thank you very much, Wenruo!"
Zhao Mingcheng bowed, feeling a weight lifted from his heart.
Things went even more smoothly than he had expected, and Li Jiong's honesty became his greatest asset at this moment.
The two chatted for a while about the current situation of the Imperial Academy and the whereabouts of their old classmates before Zhao Mingcheng got up to take his leave.
Li Jiong escorted him all the way to the gate of the Imperial Academy, watching him ride away into the distance, before turning back to his dormitory and looking at the box of Ningxiang perfume quietly emitting a delicate fragrance on the table.
I've already started thinking about how to bring this up with my clever and opinionated cousin when I get home.