This poem "Qinyuan Spring" is indeed the most suitable for Wu Yantian's historical novel.
It vividly describes the feeling of the young Taizu when he was still studying.
The youthful arrogance and the sense of wearing fine clothes and riding spirited horses are fully captured in his writing.
The eight characters, "pointing at the mountains and rivers, stirring up the written words," are like knives, cutting to the heart of the matter!
No wonder Wu Yantian is so excited at this moment.
"Thank you," Wu Yantian said, still holding the poem lovingly, then he looked up and said seriously, "Chen Can, actually, I have one more request."
"Go ahead," Li Chen Can said with a smile, not taking it too seriously.
He thought Wu Yantian wouldn't ask for something impossible, right?
Sure enough, Wu Yantian's request was quite simple: "I want to use one line from your poem as the title of my book." Hearing this, not only Li Chen Can but also Wu Chuan looked at him in surprise, wondering if he was joking—why would he use Li Chen Can's poem as the title of his own book?
Feeling their gazes, Wu Yantian smiled bitterly and said, "Actually, I've thought of many titles for this historical novel, but none of them seemed perfect. I had a few options in mind, but now, seeing your 'Qinyuan Spring,' I know what I should write. I'll call it 'Just Classmates in Youth'!"
Wu Yantian was very excited and continued, "These few words perfectly match the overall theme of my book! At that time, Taizu hadn't yet truly seized the empire; his ambition to conquer Central China was still in the making. He was more of a student, a young man, dissatisfied with the state of the country, full of passion. So, 'Just Classmates in Youth' is truly brilliant! When they open the book and see the poem, and then the line 'pointing at the mountains and rivers, stirring up the written words,' they will better understand the book..."
Wu Chuan thought about it for a moment and his face lit up with excitement, "Yes, that's really true! The title is really brilliant, Chen Can. It seems your poem and his book are a perfect match!"
Li Chen Can also thought about what Wu Yantian said and found it very fitting.
The meaning of the poem and the book truly align, with many aspects resonating with each other.
He couldn't tell if this was fate or just a coincidence. Li Chen Can himself couldn't figure it out.
But seeing Wu Yantian so happy, his mood improved as well. After all, this was someone who was speaking up for him, and he hoped he could help.
The conversation became even more harmonious after that. The two were very curious about Li Chen Can and kept asking about his literary skills. Fortunately, Li Chen Can had read a lot in his previous life, and in this life, he had received traditional education in classical poetry. With his enhanced intelligence and memory, he answered their questions thoroughly, often causing them to nod in agreement and admiration.
"Truly an extraordinary young man," Wu Yantian commented on Li Chen Can, then got to the point, "Chen Can, thank you for the poem. However, I don't know the title of the poem yet."
Li Chen Can smiled and said, "I forgot about that. The poem is called 'Qinyuan Spring · Nansha.' If you think it's not suitable, you can come up with another one."
"I can't do that," Wu Yantian waved his hand in refusal. It wouldn't be right to take away Li Chen Can's naming rights.
He didn't want to misuse it.
Li Chen Can understood and nodded.
Wu Yantian paused and then said, "Chen Can, let's talk about the compensation now. For this poem... what do you think of ten thousand yuan as compensation?"
Actually, writing a preface is usually done for free, as it's a favor among friends. Only when someone is specifically hired to write a preface is money involved.
Ten thousand yuan was a high compensation for a poem to serve as a preface, especially since it didn't involve any other copyright issues, just a temporary use.
However, Li Chen Can looked a bit angry, "Professor Wu, are you looking down on me? If you're going to discuss the preface with me and then offer money, you might as well have had someone else approach me to give you the poem."
Li Chen Can was still in need of money for his family, but ten thousand yuan wasn't a lot to him... at least not enough to buy the friendship of a respected scholar like Wu Yantian. He knew the value of this, and if he took the money, Wu Yantian would certainly give it, but their relationship would likely remain superficial.
Wu Yantian looked at Li Chen Can and sensed his genuine anger, a smile appearing on his lips, "If that's the case, I apologize for being presumptuous. Chen Can, I'll consider you a friend!"
Li Chen Can said, "You are a professor... we should be in a teacher-student relationship."
Wu Yantian replied, "You just said not to look down on you... why are you being so formal now?"
Li Chen Can insisted, "It's different."
Wu Yantian shook his head slightly but was actually quite satisfied with his attitude. He continued, "In that case, Chen Can, if you need anything in the future, feel free to come to me. I can still speak up in certain areas." This was a promise.
Li Chen Can thought for a moment and then said, "Professor Wu, I actually have something I'd like to consult you about."
"What is it?" Wu Yantian asked, hearing that Li Chen Can only wanted to consult him.
"I just got accepted into Yanjing University... but I'm not ready to start studying yet, so I want to take a leave of absence. As a university professor, I wanted to ask you how to go about this," Li Chen Can asked humbly.
"What?!!" Both of them were almost stunned, wondering what Li Chen Can was thinking. Getting accepted into Yanjing University was the dream of many students and families. Now, as the top scorer, he had been accepted, but he was saying he wanted to take a leave of absence?
He hadn't even started school yet, and he was already taking a leave of absence?
What was he thinking?
They were now looking at Li Chen Can as if he were an alien...
Of course, Li Chen Can wasn't an alien, but he was indeed from another time and space.
PS: Thank you to the generous supporters: Zui'ai Ang Ge, Situ Siwu, Tomorrow's Rain, Zao Wan Cheng Dashi, Tang Xiaosheng, Residual Person, Want to Join the Army, Ni Zhi Yi Online, Lafeng Di Sao Nian.
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