"Since ancient times, in Shenzhou, any building with three or more stories is considered a tall building, and one with five or more stories is considered a dangerous building. Even when the Four Seas Khan ruled the world, no building with seven stories like this had ever been built," Mo Rong said slowly. "Kuanglan City is located by the sea, and the sea winds are fierce. Therefore, the first priority when building this seven-story building was to ensure that it would remain undamaged in strong winds. As a result, the foundation of this building is ten feet deep, and the pillars in the building are made of copper pillars connected one by one. Even so, we were still not satisfied. For the sixth and seventh stories, we no longer used wood or stone, but used an alloy that our Yue people discovered. Even the tiles and eaves are made in the same way."
Although the wealthy businessmen had invested heavily in the building's construction and were intimately familiar with its structure, they still listened with great interest as Mo Rong explained everything. Lü Tian, however, was preoccupied with Tu Longziyun on the fourth floor, letting the information go in one ear and out the other, completely bewildered.
“When summer comes, we will see a spectacular sight,” Mo Rong continued. “When there is thunder in summer, lightning strikes the sixth and seventh floors, and golden light shines out, like flames soaring into the sky. The magnificent scenery will surely be the best in the world.”
Just then, a lady who was with Tu Longziyun walked briskly up to the fifth floor and said softly, "Uncles and elders, please come downstairs to see the masterpieces of our renowned scholars."
These wealthy merchants, eager to appear cultured, naturally couldn't miss such an event. Besides, many of these renowned figures had been invited at great expense, adding a touch of competitive spirit to the gathering. Therefore, as everyone took their leave of Mo Rong, Zhuang Heng suddenly turned back and said, "Miss Mo, why don't you come and take a look too?"
Lu Tian had already thought of this, and immediately pulled Mo Rong's hand to go down to the fourth floor: "Sister, let's go watch the fun. Anyway, those famous people don't know you. If Brother Ziyun dares to talk nonsense, the two of us will tear his mouth apart."
The group returned to the fourth floor, where the renowned scholars recited their poems and songs one by one. For a time, the Hai Tian Lou was filled with the rhythmic cadence and a palpable air of eroticism. Mo Rong had some knowledge of poetry and songs, and although these works were all excellent choices, she felt they didn't quite match the Hai Tian Lou she envisioned.
After the last person finished reciting, the scholars on the fourth floor exchanged pleasantries and compliments, and the wealthy merchants clapped and applauded. Only a voice came from the third floor and said, "It is good, but if you want to use it on the Haitian Tower and make it famous for all time, I'm afraid it is still not enough."
The room fell silent immediately, and some of the less well-mannered scholars showed signs of anger. Then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs, and after a moment, a man appeared before them.
Mo Rong and Lü Tian exchanged a glance; this man was the same one Mo Rong had let in when they entered. The scholars, seeing his plain appearance and shabby clothes, all smiled wryly. One scholar said, "This gentleman speaks carelessly; surely he can compose a masterpiece that will be remembered for eternity, comparable to the 'Haitianlou' poem?"
The man remained calm and composed under the gaze of the crowd, and said with a slight smile, "It's worth a try."
Although his words still carried a trace of humility, the expression on his face completely negated it. Since ancient times, there has been no first place in literature, but only a second in martial arts; this angered even the more cultured scholars. One of them said, "Then we will wait here respectfully for your masterpiece, sir. How long will it take you?"
“The ancients could compose a poem in seven steps and a sentence in three. If it takes me half a day, how could my masterpiece be worthy of the magnificent Hai Tian Tower that has stood the test of time for thousands of years?” The man stretched out his hand: “Bring me a brush and grind the ink.”
A well-meaning person offered him pen and ink. The man looked them over in the building, then unceremoniously stood before a screen depicting the scenery of Haitian Tower. He took out a gourd from his waist, opened the lid, and the aroma of wine filled the air. He drank the entire gourd in one gulp, tossed the empty gourd aside, picked up his pen, and began to write rapidly on the screen.
"General Li served as the prefect of Yuzhou for five years. The people lived in peace and prosperity, and merchants and travelers came in droves."
He had barely written the first line when a scholar shook his head and sneered, "Instead of composing poems about the scenery before him, he writes such verses. Can this really be passed down through the ages?"
Ignoring the whispers, the man wrote furiously: "The people of Yuzhou, joyful and carefree, worked together to build this tower."
"This sentence is nothing special; the language is vulgar and it cannot be considered a fine line," someone else commented.
"On the day the building is completed, heaven and earth rejoice together, distinguished guests fill the room, and handsome and elegant men gather. I am but a rustic from the rivers and lakes, who happen to be present at this auspicious gathering. With pearls and jade before me, I will now offer my humble offerings."
"At least he has some self-awareness," one person muttered, followed by sneers from the crowd.
"Yuzhou is a land of dragons and tigers, where phoenixes and luan birds dwell and soar. The sea and sky are vast, with the Kun fish transforming into the Peng in the east; the mountains and rivers are majestic and beautiful, with the Jinli soaring dragon stream to the south. In spring, when the grass grows and orioles fly, peaches are red and willows are green, farmers sing in the fields and fishermen sing at the ferry. In autumn, when the air is crisp and clear, the wind is gentle and the sun is bright, melons are sweet and fruits are fragrant, golden carpets cover the ground and silver fish fill the river."
When he wrote this, although no one thought it was outstanding, no one could laugh at him anymore. Lu Tian, curious, whispered to Tu Long Ziyun, "Brother Ziyun, what does he mean by that?"
Tu Longziyun scratched his head and smiled bitterly, while a lady beside him, with her phoenix eyes glazed over, said, "He praised Yuzhou for its unique geographical advantages, abundant resources, and hardworking people."
"Ascending this famous tower, beholding this magnificent view, all sing, but I alone sigh." Then, the man's pen shifted, and he wrote: "Looking afar, the vast land of China is engulfed in flames of war; contemplating the near and far, the people suffer immensely. Rivers of blood flow, turning the three rivers and five lakes crimson; corpses lie strewn across the fields, the four corners of the earth and the eight directions are ravaged. The whole world grieves, but I alone rejoice; what joy is there in my joy!"
As soon as these few lines were written, the entire room fell silent. The scholars who had been reciting and appreciating them had produced many fine lines, but most of them were merely expressions of self-satisfaction, with not a single one considering the plight of the common people. Now, seeing that person write them, they all felt ashamed.
"To favor one over another is not the heart of a benevolent person; to love someone by extending that love to their family reveals the ambition of a valiant man. What benefit does it bring to the people of the world if my prefecture remains isolated in a corner? What benefit does it bring to a famous city if the raging storm is raging for a time? Alas, the wise men of old, when they were in power, thought of the people having nothing to eat; when they were in retreat, they thought of the common people having no shelter. They wished that all the world's hardships would be borne by them, and that all the world's blessings would be shared by all. Looking at the world today, how can we compare to the ancients!"
"If all the states and kingdoms under heaven were like my state, and all the shepherds under heaven were like generals, then I could climb this tower again, drink to my heart's content, and lie down in a drunken stupor. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"
When that person finished the last stroke, as sharp as a knife, the entire building fell silent. After a moment, someone clapped their hands and sighed, "What a wonderful thing it is to be happy when the whole world is in sorrow!"
Section 02
"Oh, how is this 'Record of the Sea and Sky Tower' written? Read it to me."
Liu Guang, wrapped in a brocade fur coat, sat atop his warhorse, his eyes slightly narrowed. Beside him, Liu Zheng, beaming with pride, slowly read aloud the article written by the man from Haitianlou, his voice rising and falling with cadence, clearly showing his own admiration for it.
"If all the states and kingdoms under heaven were like my state, and all the shepherds under heaven were like generals, then I could climb this tower again, drink to my heart's content, and lie down in a drunken stupor. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"
After Liu Zheng finished reading the last sentence, Liu Guang slowly repeated it, pondered for a while, and then suddenly smiled slightly: "This person is really reckless."
"What do you mean by this, my lord?" Pang Zhen asked in astonishment. "This man appears arrogant, but his writing is simple and unadorned, with a touch of ancient style. If you judge a book by its cover, I'm afraid all the heroes in the world will be disheartened."
“I know, I know, hahaha…” Liu Guang laughed loudly, “I mean, this person in the Hai Tian Lou Chronicles seems to be advising Li Jun to conquer the world and spread the prosperity of Yuzhou throughout the Divine Continent. That brat Li Jun has always had a heart that is eager to devour everything. After seeing this article, he will surely raise an army again.”
“If that brat Li Jun mobilizes a large army, the first to bear the brunt will probably be our lord,” Pang Zhen said. “Our lord is now surrounded by enemies on all sides, so we cannot be careless with that brat Li Jun.”
"Don't worry, sir, that brat Li Jun wouldn't dare to attack me easily." Liu Guang stroked his beard and sighed slowly. "I'm over fifty, how much energy do I still have left? That brat Li Jun is in his prime, he has plenty of time to wait for me to grow old. Time isn't on my side."
“Why do you say that, my lord? Li Jun is a greedy and ambitious young man. He is brave and fierce in battle but lacks tact. Although he has many strategies, he is prone to acting on impulse. He has already reached his limit in terms of achievements. I predict that if he does not learn to restrain himself, he will surely suffer a setback and never recover,” Liu Zheng said. He had been thinking about Li Jun’s affairs for the past few days, so he was most familiar with the situation of Li Jun and Yuzhou.
“Yes, Mr. Liu is quite right.” Liu Guang nodded and said, “Li Jun is Lu Xiang’s disciple. He always stands in Lu Xiang’s shadow and subconsciously wants to prove himself, so he is inevitably rash in his actions. I underestimated him this time, which is why I suffered this defeat. When I come to Yuzhou again, I will not give him any chance to take advantage of me.”
Liu Zheng and Pang Zhen exchanged a smile. Although Liu Guang was old, his ambition remained strong, which reassured them. After a moment, Liu Guang asked again, "By the way, what's the name of the author of 'The Record of the Sea and Sky Pavilion'?"
“It’s Kakuyama Subai,” Liu Zheng said.
"Oh? That Su Bai, the hermit of Jiaoshan, who's known as a genius?" Liu Guang exclaimed in surprise.
“That’s right.” Liu Zheng nodded. “It is said that he lives in seclusion in Jiaoshan and avoids visitors, but as many as five hundred households have come from all directions to seek his patronage.”
“In these chaotic times, such a renowned scholar is truly rare. It’s a pity, a pity, he’s bound to be used by Li Jun.” Liu Guang frowned for a long time, then said, “Why don’t you come and join me, instead of going to join Li Jun?”
Neither Liu Zheng nor Pang Zhen could answer this question. In terms of prestige, although Li Jun's reputation had grown significantly over the past five years, he was still far inferior to the rising star, Liu Guang. In terms of strength, even with Yuzhou, Qionglu Grassland, and Qinggui combined, the territory was only a third of the Chen Kingdom's area, and Li Jun's entire army numbered no more than 200,000, while the Chen Kingdom had nearly 800,000 troops. As for popular support, although the people of Yuzhou loved Li Jun, the people of Chen Kingdom also feared Liu Guang. So why would Su Bai abandon Liu Guang and go to Li Jun?
“Su Bai is known as a madman and eccentric genius. An eccentric genius acts strangely, making him unpredictable and thus considered eccentric,” Liu Zheng had to comfort him.
"After returning to the capital, you two will no longer need to accompany me on campaigns. Focus on recruiting talented individuals within the country. What a pity, what a pity."
Liu Zheng and Pang Zhen knew that Liu Guang must be thinking of Huo Kuang, who had been assassinated, and they both fell silent. After a while, Pang Zhen suddenly remembered something and said, "My lord, on this journey, besides facing the brat Ling Qi of Huai Kingdom, you will also have to deal with Ma Jiyou of Hong Kingdom. Ma Jiyou is also a famous general of our time. If you could recruit him to your service, wouldn't that be ideal?"
“Exactly,” Liu Zheng said. “If we can recruit Ma Jiyou, Hongguo will be within our grasp, which is far better than competing with Li Jun for this mere Yuzhou.”
“I have the same idea. I am eager to return to the army. Besides temporarily avoiding the sharp edge of that brat Li Jun, another purpose is to subdue Ma Jiyou.” Liu Guang’s eyes narrowed into a slit, and a smile appeared on his lips. “First, we will subdue Ma Jiyou, and then we will retreat Ling Qi. Before that, I also need to lend Su Bai a hand.”