Chapter 514: A New Story |
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The story of Zhang Xia storming the White Tiger Hall for Chen Ji outside Chongli Pass was just made public to the masses like this.
Chen Ji didn't know whether Brother Pao was only doing it to attract people's eyeballs or if he hid other intentions, but that Narrow Escape experience was sufficient to stir up a Massive Sensation among the townspeople.
In the story scribebooks of the past, the one who acted as the hero had always been a man. But this time, it was a woman.
Holding the newspaper up with both hands, Chen Ji read while walking deeper into Liulichang.
This piece of news was mostly written in the tone of a storyteller, and the rhetoric used was also popular and easy to understand. As long as someone read it aloud following the text, whether it was peddlers and servants or Boat Trackers and manual laborers, they would definitely be able to understand it.
Chen Ji raised his brows as he read. The opening of the article began right from exiting Chongli Pass, talking about the two of them disguising as husband and wife, talking about how he and Zhang Xia treated each other with absolute sincerity, talking about how he stayed behind alone beside Jiang Xiansheng and Princess Liyang to save Zhang Xia, while Zhang Xia stormed the Western Capital Circuit's White Tiger Hall at night for him.
The story was soul-stirring and breathtaking, full of ups and downs. It wasn't until he and Zhang Xia safely returned to Capital City that the readers were allowed to let out a slight sigh of relief.
At the end of the article, the writer wrote: "I asked the world, what is love? It teaches one to dedicate life and death. Guests flying in pairs south and north of heaven; old wings through how many colds and heats. The joy of union, the bitterness of parting—among them there are even more infatuated youths. You should have words; through endless layers of clouds, thousands of mountains in evening snow, to whom shall a lonely shadow go?"
Chen Ji faintly felt something was wrong.
Furthermore, the story in the article was as if personally visiting the outside of Chongli Pass. It even understood the furnishings in the White Tiger Hall and the layout of the martial marquis watchtowers in Baidadan City. These were not things Brother Pao could imagine out...
Zhang Xia knew, but Zhang Xia wouldn't put the matters between the two of them out in broad daylight before the masses.
Besides Zhang Xia, who else knew of these matters?
Wait.
It was Xiaoman and the Little Monk.
Chen Ji remembered Xiaoman's lazy appearance of being unwilling to go out early this morning, as well as the Little Monk's guilty appearance. The two clearly knew the matter was going to be exposed today, so they absolutely refused to go out with him no matter what.
Just as he was walking, he heard a woman by the roadside murmuring: "I ask the world, what is love, to teach one to dedicate life and death..."
"Thousands of mountains in evening snow, to whom shall a lonely shadow go..."
A woman praised in admiration: "Originally, I thought the story of Li Changge was just the Nine-Li Golden Light Free Roaming Practitioner fabricating rhetoric in 'Four Dreams of Bianliang', fundamentally not that beautiful. But I never expected that Li Changge and Second Miss Zhang outside the scribebook were actually even a cut above."
Another person shook her head: "I actually feel the story of Li Changge and the Commandery Princess is better to read. He and the Commandery Princess are a much better match."
The woman who praised earlier said unhappily: "But the Commandery Princess has never done anything for Li Changge! Not like Second Miss Zhang, who stormed the White Tiger Hall for him. It has to be this kind of story of meeting one's match to be moving."
"But the Commandery Princess is the first woman Li Changge liked!"
"They have never dedicated their lives and deaths to each other!"
Helplessly, Chen Ji passed through the sounds of argument. Leaving aside what influence the article would have on him, just speaking of this front-page headline alone, it was indeed sensational enough.
In just the span of half an hour (one shichen), the newspapers in the Stick Bearers' satchels were sold completely empty. The phrase "I ask the world what is love, to teach one to dedicate life and death" also spread all across the major streets and minor Alleys.
Chen Ji sized up the Capital Morning Post in his hands.
The Bamboo Paper was somewhat coarse and inferior. It was the cheapest official document paper on the market, with rough and hairy edges. The characters were also blurred in many places, constantly missing a few words from time to time. One had to piece several copies together to be able to see it clearly.
The newspaper emitted a strong smell of printing ink. Some ink hadn't dried thoroughly yet; pressing the fonts with a thumb would even imprint the characters onto the thumb's belly.
But none of these seemed important.
What was important was that as Chen Ji looked at this thing which fundamentally shouldn't have appeared in the Ning Dynasty, he always felt as if he had gotten a bit closer to home again.
The Capital Morning Post had a front and back side, totaling four pages. Apart from the front page, the second page printed this year's spring examinations test papers, actually printing out all the essays of the Top Scorer Shen Ye from the Children's Examination, Provincial Examination, Metropolitan Examination, and Palace Examination in their entirety. This caused the literati and scholars aspiring for the Imperial Examination to feel as if they had obtained a supreme treasure. How was this something they could normally see?
Someone held the Morning Newspaper, clicking their tongue in wonder: "This Poetry Champion of the Tiger Hill Poetry Society is truly formidable as expected. No wonder he could pass as the Top Scorer."
"What do you know? He was only able to test in as Top Scorer because the essay for the Palace Examination was written right into His Majesty's heart! They were all things the New Policies want to push forward."
Chen Ji paid no mind to the others. Flipping over the Morning Newspaper to read the third page, it was actually an entire page of gossip news from the Eight Great Hutongs. Which merchant went to which brothel yesterday, which wealthy guest hosted a Plum Plucking Banquet for which singing girl, which two wealthy guests fought out of jealousy for which Top Courtesan... entirely a bunch of dog-shit, messy matters.
Nowadays, the Stick Bearers of Plum Blossom Ferry were spread all over the major streets and minor Alleys of the outer city. Inquiring into these kinds of fresh matters was as easy as lifting a hand. There were literati and refined scholars who Turned Up Their Noses at the third page, but there were also people who took delight in talking about what they read.
Reaching the fourth page, there were actually only a scant few dozen words. A large headline was written: "Broadly Informing, Profits Reaching All Four Directions."
Below the headline was written: "It is heard that even fragrant wine fears a deep alley, and good goods require people to know of them. The establishment of this news-paper desires to pass the news of the world. Today, the fourth page waits empty. It can make a name for merchants and spread the reputation of shops. An inch of land can reach tens of thousands of eyes. If anyone has intentions, quickly come negotiate. Do not miss this excellent opportunity."
Chen Ji raised his brows. They had even managed to put together "Advertisement Space For Rent".
At present, the content of these four pages was still a bit lacking, and the news content was insufficient. But as the very first publication issue, it was enough.
Now, everyone in the streets and alleys was discussing this newspaper. Some people cared about stories, some cared about the Imperial Examination, and some cared about the gossip. Admired by both the refined and the vulgar, each taking what they needed.
Inside the Liulichang Alleys, a woman pulled at a Plum Blossom Ferry Stick Bearer: "Do you still have that damned Morning Newspaper?"
The Stick Bearer ripped open his satchel: "Gone. Completely sold out."
The literati and refined scholars surrounding the Stick Bearer were rather unwilling to resign to this: "Why didn't you print more? Will you still come sell tomorrow? Remember to print more!"
Adhering to the rhetoric Brother Pao had taught, the Stick Bearer explained: "This Young Master, this plaything called a newspaper is different every single day, only writing fresh matters. What is printed tomorrow will no longer be the story of the Baron of Wuxiang County and Second Miss Zhang."
The crowd had a burst of amazement: "Different every day? Only writing fresh matters? What is the meaning of this?"
The Stick Bearer scratched his head: "We aren't clear either. Anyway, you'll know when you wait to see tomorrow's. Additionally, I'll also give everyone a word. The things on this newspaper are not only for us to write; everyone can also submit drafts. If the article gets printed out, this newspaper will offer up a sum of polishing fees. At the least, ten wen per line; at the most, one tael of silver per line."
The literati and refined scholars clicked their tongues in wonder: "Your meaning is, our articles can also be printed upon it, and there is even silver to take? To whom should we hand over our articles?"
The Stick Bearer nodded, saying yes: "In the streets and alleys, as long as it is someone wearing a satchel like me, you can just hand it over to him. He will bring the article back to the Patron."
Chen Ji silently observed from the sidelines. The Capital Morning Post having a booming start was a good thing. Not only was Brother Pao efficient in doing things, he was also meticulous. He was a general-tier talent who could Handle Matters Independently.
This Morning Newspaper was of great use to him, but it wasn't yet the time for the map to be unrolled and the dagger revealed. For now, let Brother Pao play around with it first.
The focal point was that the article on the front page vaguely hinted at Chen Ji's action of ushering back the Jing Dynasty Envoy as the heroic act of receiving orders in the face of danger. It even wrote the story of him storming Anding Gate for the soldiers of the Feather Forest Army who died in battle. So much so that when people read it, they even forgot those derogatory satires of the storytellers from earlier.
Chen Ji felt the originally faded Furnace Fire within his body finally relight a few fractions brighter, turning from transparent to light red.
This was an unexpected harvest.
Just as Chen Ji was planning to head to Wenchang Bookstore to continue looking for clues, he instead heard a familiar voice come from behind: "Fellow Daoist, please hold your steps!"
Chen Ji turned his head to look. Actually seeing Zhang Li riding a green ox, slowly passing through the narrow Alleys of Liulichang.
Zhang Li patted the large green ox's neck, urging: "Can you hurry up? The proper matters of each day are all delayed by you!"
But the large green ox remained slow and sluggish, turning a deaf ear to what Zhang Li said.
It wasn't until Zhang Li said in a low voice: "Do you still want to go secretly eat Incense at the Universal Salvation Ritual next year or not? If you do things well for me, next year with the offerings of three thousand six hundred divine seats, I will steal one for you!"
Looking from afar, Chen Ji clearly saw the large green ox's gaze brighten by several fractions, twinkling with a thievish light, and its pace also became much lighter and faster.
He stood where he was, waiting for Zhang Li to approach. He cupped his hands and said politely: "Daoist Priest."
Zhang Li said peevishly: "You brat! I told you early on not to bear the merits and faults of the Jing Dynasty Envoy! Now you've caused the Wordless Heavenly Book to have absolutely no Incense left, and even the newly written scribebook of this poor Daoist can't be sold out anymore! You've also received the benefits of Incense; how come you just wouldn't listen to advice?"
Chen Ji responded earnestly: "Daoist Priest, not everyone cares about gains and losses. Some things are more important than gains and losses."
Zhang Li gazed intently at Chen Ji's eyes, eventually transforming into a sigh: "The Jianghu, loyalty and Righteousness, romance and infatuation, I don't know how many people they have trapped. Even Li Changge under this poor Daoist's brush cannot avoid being conventional."
Chen Ji laughed: "Daoist Priest, this lowly one was fundamentally a conventional layman... Why has Daoist Priest sought this lowly one today?"
Zhang Li pondered for a moment: "The original scribebook was already written up to chapter nineteen, but now I'm afraid it will all have to be completely scrapped. This poor Daoist plans to write a new scribebook, and had to inform you."
Chen Ji was somewhat surprised: "Daoist Priest writing a story still has to especially come tell me?"
Zhang Li bent his body down while sitting on the large green ox's back. Staring straight at Chen Ji, he said: "This time, this poor Daoist will not write a fabricated scribebook. I am going to write a bit of real stuff."
Chen Ji frowned: "Real stuff? Not easy to write."
Zhang Li still stared at Chen Ji: "This time, whether it is easy to write or not is no longer the business of this poor Daoist; it is the business of the Wordless Heavenly Book. This poor Daoist only takes care of polishing it up, that is all. It's just that once this story begins, the two of us will either share glory together or share loss together."
Chen Ji shook his head: "Daoist Priest, my story is not suitable to be told out loud."
Zhang Li said with profound meaning: "Fear not. This poor Daoist will wait until after you leave the Ning Dynasty before releasing the story out, printing it in this damned Morning Newspaper of yours to tell to the people of the world."
Chen Ji was startled in his heart. This Chief Disciple of the Huangshan Daoist Court actually calculated that he was going to leave the Ning Dynasty?
Was it a guess, or was it a bluff?
Or did he truly calculate something using the Six Ren Divination?
Not waiting for Chen Ji to deeply question it, Zhang Li had already ridden the large green ox far away. In his mouth, he sang an unknown opera lyric: "You say life and death are two ends: life is one end, death is one end. But it was originally a single thread—the hero tugging this end, the beauty pulling that end. Speaking further of right and wrong, the several lines of names and surnames in history are nothing more than the victor becomes king, and the loser becomes bandit."
"Life and death, right and wrong, success and failure, glory and humiliation. Those who can put them down, those who can pass through, became immortals, became ancestors..."
(End of this chapter)