Chapter 103: Scholars Compete for Fame (Please Subscribe)

“Greetings, Young Master Shi.”
“Young Master Shi, please come and join us on our boat.”
“What brings you to the Entertainment Bureau to listen to music today, Young Master Shi?”

As the leading flower boat came to a halt, a graceful young gentleman dressed in a moon-white robe appeared at the bow, surrounded by numerous courtesans. Immediately, the courtesans aboard the surrounding boats vied to invite him aboard.

“Ladies, tonight I have come to enjoy the music. If any of you are inclined, please sing a song for me,” Shi Hongchang declared with a hearty laugh, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“Young Master Shi, it has been quite some time since your last visit to the Entertainment Bureau. We have prepared the top-tier private room ‘Di No. 1’ for you inside,” a courtesan clad in red stepped out from the Bureau’s main entrance, inviting him coquettishly.

“Ah, Madam Qingmei. I heard there is a new composition at the Bureau today. I brought the ladies along to learn it. But tonight, I won’t enter the Bureau; I’ll listen right here on the flower boat on Qingyue River to see what masterpiece it is,” Shi Hongchang said with a smile, his words carrying a subtle barb.

“Since Young Master Shi has the refined taste to listen on Qingyue River, we shall not keep you waiting. However, the private room ‘Di No. 1’ will be reserved for you all evening. You may come in at any time,” Qingmei said with a smile, performing a respectful bow before turning to leave.

“Young Master Shi, tonight we only wish to sing ‘Autumn Night Moon.’ Please do guide us,” called out a youthful courtesan from a nearby flower boat.

“Then my thanks to the ladies of Baohong Tower,” Shi Hongchang responded proudly, raising his cup toward her. The courtesan was so thrilled she nearly fainted.

“We also enjoy singing ‘Autumn Night Moon.’ Ladies, why don’t we all perform this masterpiece by Young Master Shi together tonight on Qingyue River? Let the world know what true brilliance sounds like,” a courtesan in colorful attire called out from another flower boat, addressing the others nearby.

“Thanks to Courtesan Dieyi, and thanks to everyone,” Shi Hongchang said with growing pride, raising his cup in a gesture toward the surrounding boats.

“At first parting was called fate’s decree, never to meet again by design. Recently, by chance, we gather once more in joyful reunion. Before you, in idle moments, I furrow my brows and sigh long—old sorrows stirred without end.”

A courtesan began the opening line, and another immediately followed with the next, continuing in turn until the entire piece was complete. All the courtesans joined in unison, repeating the lyrics over and again.

The courtesans varied in age, appearance, and voice—some plump, some slender, their tones rising and falling with delicate modulation and melodic grace. Some sounded like orioles emerging from the valley, others like echoes in a hollow gorge, some like a nightingale’s first call, and others as if celestial music had descended from the heavens. Their rendition of “Autumn Night Moon” was enchanting and intoxicating.

“Well done, ladies. Your singing is excellent.”
“Indeed, the courtesans’ singing is only part of the merit; the key lies in Young Master Shi’s exquisite lyrics.”
“A fine poem combined with a beautiful melody makes for a grand occasion. Tonight has been truly worthwhile.”
“To Young Master Shi, a toast! And to the courtesans, too!”
“This tune should only exist in the heavens; how rare it is to hear it on earth—this must be Young Master Shi’s masterpiece.”

As the song concluded, enthusiastic cheers and shrieks erupted from the surrounding flower boats and the riverbanks. Numerous scholars, literati, and officials discussed excitedly, many raising their cups in salute to Shi Hongchang and the courtesans aboard the various boats.

“Friends, today is the imperial examination’s final round, where top scholars from every district gather in Wudu. Such a grand event happens only once every few years. We are fortunate to witness it and shall surely be remembered in history. Centuries hence, the voices from tonight will still resonate,” Shi Hongchang proclaimed loudly, sweeping his gaze around as he lifted his cup, drawing hearty applause.

“That man is extremely adept at currying favor. Tonight’s event will quickly spread throughout Wudu, then across the land. His fame will soar, and during the palace examination, the emperor may even add points for him.”

Meanwhile, in the top-tier private room ‘Tian No. 1’ of the Entertainment Bureau, Fang Xian and Wu Qingluan quietly observed the scene outside. After a moment, she offered her commentary, with Fang Xian nodding in agreement.

Scholars of this era all sought fame, for only when well-known would high officials, nobles, and even the imperial family acknowledge one’s existence. Whether recruiting or taking exams, they would receive preferential treatment.

If someone was renowned throughout the realm, the emperor, when scoring the palace examination, would remember them and add bonus points. Compared to obscure candidates, such a person naturally had a better chance of achieving the top rank.

After all, when selecting talent, the emperor also considered the opinions of ministers and the public. Choosing a famous figure signaled the emperor’s discernment, whereas selecting an unknown candidate would be seen as folly.

“This man does have some skill in poetry. But I wonder about his other abilities. The court’s choice of the top scholar surely depends not just on literary talent, but also on governance skills,” Fang Xian pondered aloud.

“No matter. The higher he climbs now, the harder he will fall later. If he can view this properly, he may still be of great use. Otherwise, he is merely incompetent and worthless,” Wu Qingluan said with a smile, her perspective unique.

“Dang, dang, dang…”

Just as the lively scene outside began to quiet, the sound of wooden clappers suddenly rang out inside the Entertainment Bureau, silencing everyone. They knew this was the signal to begin showcasing new compositions.

This evening, the Bureau was equally crowded with guests, half of whom were government officials. The Entertainment Bureau was originally established to serve these officials, offering them a place to drink, chat, and build connections after work, while enjoying music and dance—keeping them from frequenting the less reputable brothels.

Of course, the Bureau’s courtesans differed from brothel women in that they sold their art, not their bodies. Unlike brothel women who slept with paying customers, these courtesans only brought favored men into their chambers without accepting money.

Many courtesans from the Bureau were even redeemed by officials to become concubines, thus elevating their status overnight. Hence, the courtesans here guarded their virtue carefully, seldom lodging guests unless fully enamored.

Additionally, many talented scholars from various districts and prefectures chose to come to the Entertainment Bureau to listen to music rather than seek favors from Shi Hongchang. Proud and self-respecting, they avoided being compared unfavorably with him by the foolish courtesans on the flower boats at brothels.