“A cicada’s chill keen broke the first pause in the hard rain. This night, there is only your face. Dismal drinks in the traveller’s tent by the city gate, boatmen anxious to push off in the lull – still we hold back.”

In the imperial court, Guo Tianyang read aloud this poem “Rain-soaked Bell” with deep feeling. Many officials were entranced, some even wiping away tears with their sleeves.

Emperor Jing looked down from on high, surveying the scene. His gaze towards Fang Zheng couldn’t help but contain a few more hints of satisfaction.

“Drunk tonight, where shall I wake? Poplar and willow on the banks, the rise of the dawn breeze as the moon sets. There will be so many years, and so many lovely scenes — all empty; ________, ________”

When he reached the line “There will be so many years, and so many lovely scenes — all empty”, Guo Tianyang’s voice abruptly stopped.

The officials in the court all felt a sense of loss and longing.

Emperor Jing said happily, “Beloved officials, listen! What do you all think of this poem? Let’s critique it!”

The older one gets, the more easily moved. Li Yansong, as the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, naturally had a deep understanding of literature. Hearing this poem, he couldn’t help the surging feelings of the sorrow of parting.

Raising his wide sleeve, he sneakily wiped his snot, then lifted his head and solemnly said, “‘Always and everywhere, severed love rends the heart but at so bleak an autumn, utter torment.’ The first two lines point out the parting. The lines ‘but at so bleak an autumn’ and ‘utter torment’ take the color of the first two lines. Between the coloring, there cannot be other words separating them. If separated, the warning phrases will also turn to dead ash.”

“Therefore, this old minister believes this poem is a sacred work among poems! This old minister bows in admiration, afraid he cannot reach this level in his entire life…”

Hearing this, the other officials all sighed in lament. If Minister Li said this, what qualifications did the rest have to comment?

Hearing Li Yansong’s high praise, Emperor Jing was even happier.

“Minister Li is too humble! Do you all know who wrote this poem?”

Everyone remained silent. They all had an idea but no one was willing to say it.

In the past two days, this poem “Rain-soaked Bell” had already spread to every street and alley in the capital. Everyone knew this poem was written by the Junior Tutor of the Imperial Clan Court, Fang Zheng.

The copyist himself couldn’t sleep at this moment, listening to this “Rain-soaked Bell” while his feet were busy with a major three-room-one-living-room project below.

Seeing no response from the crowd, Emperor Jing chuckled. “It seems all the beloved officials already know.”

“In that case, why not have the man himself explain this poem to everyone!”

Fang Zheng stepped out of the ranks trembling, not from fear, but because it was too damn awkward! He hadn’t even memorized the full poem, so what could he explain!

“Your subject! Fang Zheng, pays respect to Your Majesty!”

Emperor Jing waved his hand. “Fang Zheng, no need for formalities. I have witnessed your poetic talent!”

“This poem has really made me re-evaluate you! However, why are the last two lines of this poem missing!?”

“Today, not only are the gentlemen curious about this question, but I’m afraid even the scholars in the capital are burning with curiosity! You must give everyone a proper explanation. You cannot dodge the question!”

Fuck! Other people copy poems so smoothly, so why is it so difficult for me!?

Fang Zheng panicked and felt guilty. Lowering his head, he didn’t speak for a long time.

The gazes of the officials gradually gathered on Fang Zheng. Emperor Jing’s brows also gradually furrowed. “Fang Zheng, why aren’t you speaking?”

Li Yuanzhao stared at Fang Zheng with keen interest. He knew that although it was unknown who wrote this poem, it definitely wasn’t Old Fang!

Seeing Old Fang embarrassed in public filled his heart with brotherly joy!

There was really no other way.

Fang Zheng slowly lifted his flushed face and said painfully, “Your subject! Is ashamed!”

Hmm!?

Hearing him say this, Emperor Jing’s expression began to turn solemn. The gazes of the crowd began to turn subtle, transmitting a message to each other.

The general meaning was, look at this dog thing, he can actually produce such a marvelous poem… Sure enough it was copied!

Fang Zheng said with grief and indignation, “Your subject! Ever since taking office in Taoyuan County, has worked diligently and painstakingly for the people.”

“Able to chop wood up the mountains, able to draw water from the rivers! Yet despite your subject’s dedication, the lives of the commoners under my governance could still be called arduous!”

“Later, your subject continued to strive harder, and the days of Taoyuan’s people improved steadily!”

“But even so, there were still commoners disillusioned with life. In the end, this was your subject’s fault!”

The officials were dumbfounded. We asked you to talk about the poem, so what kind of nonsense are you spouting? Did you come out just to brag about yourself!?

Fang Zheng’s expression suddenly began to turn impassioned. “So! Your subject worked even harder, but still could not turn the situation around. Your subject finally one day fell ill, lying in bed for three days and three nights, not eating or drinking.”

“In those three days, lying in my dilapidated home, observing the stars at night, your subject suddenly realized a truth!”

“That is, all things are incomplete! In this world, no matter what one does, it’s impossible to satisfy everyone.”

“So after that day, besides matters concerning the commoners, in your subject’s private life, I always tried to leave some regrets, to temper my mind!”

“As time went on… your subject could no longer write complete poems, only incomplete ones!”

“And it was precisely because of this that your subject became a cripple, of course different from Brother Guo. Your subject is crippled in spirit!”

Fang Zheng, are you out of your mind!?

Eunuch Guo standing beside Emperor Jing felt as awkward as if he had eaten shit, inexplicably dragged into this…

“And it is precisely because your subject’s spirit became incomplete that I could let go of trivial concerns, maintain passion and drive every day, not get bogged down by minor setbacks, and continue striving for the country and the people!”

“So when Your Majesty asks me why this poem is incomplete, your subject wants to say… it was originally like this!”

Holy shit! This works too!? Li Yuanzhao’s eyeballs nearly fell out from staring, his heart shaking wildly after hearing Fang Zheng’s round of bullshit.

The officials hearing this ridiculous explanation were full of disdain.

Too fucking far-fetched, who would believe what you say? You Fang Zheng just know some sophistry tricks.

But after listening, Emperor Jing showed a pensive expression.

Ever since visiting Taoyuan County, Fang Zheng indeed hadn’t written a single complete poem, and each of those poetic lines was stunning!

If these works weren’t written by Fang Zheng, logically they should have already spread to the four corners of the world.

And this poem “Rain-soaked Bell” was also incomplete, which matched what Fang Zheng said.

Emperor Jing sat on the dragon throne, pondering seriously. The officials below were all in a panic!

His Majesty is thinking about it! His Majesty is thinking about it!

Something so nonsensical, His Majesty is actually seriously considering it!? Is there anything more ridiculous in this world!?

After a long time, Emperor Jing hesitantly said, “So that’s how it is, Fang Zheng has put in effort…”

Holy fuck! There really is!

Everyone fell silent… What happened to this imperial court? Can it still be salvaged? Ever since Fang Zheng came, how did it turn out like this…

On Fang Zheng’s side, his train of thought was sorted out. Seeing Emperor Jing’s tone contained some disbelief, he continued, “Your Majesty, being incomplete is not necessarily a bad thing.”

“Some things that are too perfect are not necessarily perfect, and being incomplete is not necessarily a flaw.”

“In the dao of poetry, everyone’s understanding is different. Now with two lines left blank, the readers can fill in the blanks according to their own understanding. This is called the beauty of incompleteness, or perhaps a form of indirect perfection!”

“Don’t believe it? Gentlemen, you can try it out.”

Hearing him say this, the officials couldn’t help but start to fill in the blanks in their minds………..

…

Gasp!…… Seems there’s really some meaning to it!