Chapter 717: Your Books Are Excellent
Gao Shan said cheerfully, “That’s right, I’m with a bookselling team, and we’re from Chengcheng County.”
Chen Qiyu nodded. “Is the entire journey from Chengcheng County paved with such well-maintained roads?”
Gao Shan replied, “Indeed! It’s the Huang-Yan Highway, you see, haha. It was just completed. I wouldn’t be doing this business if it weren’t for this road; it’d be far too inconvenient otherwise.”
Chen Qiyu asked, “The Huang-Yan Highway, was it all built by people from your Chengcheng County?”
At the mention of this, Gao Shan swelled with a touch of pride. “That’s right! We poured countless resources and manpower into building this road.”
Chen Qiyu clicked his tongue in wonder. “Truly a grand display of wealth.”
Then his tone shifted. “And this Huangqiu Terrace Tunnel, was it also excavated by people from your Chengcheng County?”
He expected Gao Shan to continue boasting, but to his surprise, Gao Shan’s expression suddenly turned solemn. He spoke with utmost sincerity, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare claim that. The Huangqiu Terrace Tunnel was brought into being by the Heavenly Lord himself, who used celestial treasures and immense divine power to work such a miracle.”
Chen Qiyu spluttered, “What? What, what, what?”
“This is a brand new release, just off the presses,” Gao Shan said with a hint of pride. “The print run isn’t large yet, and I only managed to get a small batch. Allow me to present a copy to Your Excellency, the Governor, for your perusal.”
The comic book was handed to Chen Qiyu, and as he opened it, his face immediately went blank with confusion.
Inside, the book depicted an impossibly gigantic figure reaching down from the sky, holding a mountain with its left hand, and drilling a hole into it with a strange device in its right.
Turning the page, he saw the tunnel completed, punched straight through the mountain.
A large crowd of tiny figures cheered at the tunnel’s mouth.
One tiny figure held up paper and brush, writing the characters “Huangqiu Terrace Tunnel,” which were then framed and hung at the entrance.
At this point, Chen Qiyu couldn’t help but turn his head, glancing at the tunnel entrance behind him, where a plaque indeed bore the words “Huangqiu Terrace Tunnel.”
Chen Qiyu’s face was etched with disbelief. “Are you telling me this tunnel was dug by *that* immortal?”
Gao Shan nodded. “Yes, that immortal is called Dao Xuan Tian Zun. Look, I even have his image embroidered on my chest.”
Chen Qiyu cast a sidelong glance, thinking to himself: *I’d believe a ghost before I believe you!*
With even a sliver of common sense, he knew that such a massive tunnel must have been painstakingly excavated by a great multitude of laborers over an immense period, and it certainly had nothing to do with any immortals.
Clearly, this was the achievement of the common people, yet it had been brazenly claimed by some charlatan.
Chen Qiyu lost all interest in the comic book. He tossed it back to Gao Shan. “Your caravan isn’t filled entirely with books like this, is it?”
Gao Shan quickly reassured him, “Of course not! My selection of books is quite diverse, Your Excellency. Please, take a look: Here’s a tale of chivalry and justice, titled *Breaking Through the Firmament*, penned by the renowned author Gao Sanwa. And here, *Fist Shakes the Cosmos*, both recounting stories of the downtrodden who learn divine martial arts to seek vengeance and exact justice.”
Chen Qiyu muttered, “This...”
Gao Shan added, “Oh, and I also have Gao Sanwa’s newest release. Look, this one here, *Chronicles of a Mortal Cultivator*, his latest creation.”
Chen Qiyu flipped through it casually, then covered his face. “What in the world are these bizarre books?”
Gao Shan seemed to understand. “Ah, I see. Your Excellency isn’t interested in tales of fighting and killing, right? Here, we have Shi Laosi’s famous work, *Gao Piao*. Would that suit your taste?”
Chen Qiyu idly flipped through it. “Hmm? This *Gao Piao* isn’t bad at all. It has a rich, earthy flavor of everyday life.”
Gao Shan added, “And here’s a practical guide that I’m sure Your Excellency will appreciate.”
With that, he produced a book titled *Cultivation Methods for Common Crops* and handed it to Chen Qiyu.
Chen Qiyu glanced at the cover. The author was Zhao Sheng. *Had he heard that name somewhere before?* Never mind, there were countless people named Zhao Sheng in the world; it was hardly surprising.
He then opened it to examine the contents more closely, and couldn’t help but let out a gasp of surprise.
“This book! This is a divine text!”
Chen Qiyu clutched the book, exclaiming loudly, “A divine text! A divine text!”
Before this, he had somewhat underestimated the books Gao Shan was transporting, considering them mostly useless old tomes, especially *The Heavenly Lord Dao Xuan's Demon Slayer Saga*, which struck him as pure deception. He hadn’t taken Gao Shan seriously at all.
But now, having seen *Cultivation Methods for Common Crops*, he instantly recognized the true value of Gao Shan’s caravan.
“This book is excellent!” Chen Qiyu exclaimed, vigorously shaking Gao Shan’s hand. “It illustrates farming methods with pictures, only adding a few simple words in crucial spots. Even an illiterate person could understand it! If promoted widely, it would undoubtedly yield miraculous results!”
Gao Shan smiled. “That would be truly wonderful.”
Chen Qiyu asked, “How many copies of this book have you brought? What price do you intend to sell them for? If they’re too expensive, I fear the farmers won’t be able to afford them.”
Gao Shan replied, “These books aren’t expensive at all, just five copper coins each. It’s practically giving them away for free.”
Chen Qiyu’s hands trembled. “Such an invaluable book for only five copper coins? Are... are you not losing money?”
Gao Shan chuckled. “The Heavenly Lord said that some ventures are for profit, others can incur a slight loss. Not every business endeavor needs to be solely focused on making money. Sometimes, earning goodwill or reputation is valuable, as it paves the way for future opportunities.”
Chen Qiyu mused, “The Heavenly Lord’s words hold wisdom.”
It was only after saying this that he remembered his earlier disbelief in the Heavenly Lord’s existence.
That was quite awkward.
Perhaps it was best not to mention those two words again.
“In any case, your caravan is truly commendable,” Chen Qiyu declared. “Hurry on to Yan’an. I won’t hold you up here any longer. Oh, and I’ll write something for you...”
He took out a sheet of paper and swiftly scribbled a few lines, essentially stating that “this merchant’s books benefit the people; let him sell them freely, and no one is to cause him trouble.” After finishing, he affixed his signature and handed it to Gao Shan.
Gao Shan said, “Many thanks!”
The caravan continued its journey, swaying gently as it passed through the Huangqiu Terrace Tunnel, heading towards Yan'an Prefecture.
Chen Qiyu gazed at the long, wondrous tunnel before him, his heart a tangle of emotions. “With this, a natural barrier has truly become a thoroughfare! Ah, the common folk of Chengcheng County are truly remarkable, to have excavated such an impressive feat!”
Just then, a subordinate rushed over. “Your Excellency, Governor, something terrible has happened!”
The subordinate reported urgently, “The three great bandit leaders—Xue Hongqi, Yizuocheng, and Yiziwang—have divided their forces into three columns and attacked Yanchang County. The magistrate is currently holding out in the county seat, and the bandits haven’t yet launched a full assault. The magistrate requests immediate military assistance from Yan’an Prefecture!”
Chen Qiyu gasped in alarm. “Damn it! Yansui Grand General Wang Cheng'en has taken his troops to fend off the Mongol forces. Where am I supposed to find soldiers to send for rescue?”
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