Green Mountain-Chapter 656 - 513: A New Story

The story of Zhang Xia breaking into the White Tiger Festival Hall outside Chongli Pass for Chen Ji has been made public like this.

Chen Ji wasn't sure if Brother Pao did this just for sensationalism or if there was another agenda, but that life-and-death experience was enough to cause a sensation among the common people.

In past storytelling books, heroes were always men, but this time, it's a woman.

Chen Ji held the newspaper with both hands, reading it while walking deeper into Liuli Factory Alley.

The news was mostly written in the tone of a storyteller, with simple and understandable words, so that anyone reading it aloud, whether peddlers or porters, would surely understand.

Chen Ji raised his eyebrows as he read, the article started from their exit from Chongli Pass, detailing their disguise as a married couple, how he and Zhang Xia trusted each other implicitly, his lone stay beside Jiang Xiansheng and Princess Liyang to save Zhang Xia, while Zhang Xia broke into the White Tiger Festival Hall on Western Capital Road for him.

The story was thrilling and full of twists and turns, only when he and Zhang Xia safely returned to the Imperial Capital did the audience breathe a slight sigh of relief.

At the end of the article, the author wrote "What is love in this world? It makes one vow for life and death. Travelers soar from north to south, old wings facing several cold seasons. The joy of reunion, the pain of parting, among them are foolish girls and boys. You should have words, mere shadow under thousand layers of clouds, to whom does it go under snowy hills?"

Chen Ji gasped upon seeing this part; Brother Pao even recited the first part of Yuan Haowen's Yan Qiuci? Strange, even he couldn't recite it correctly; how could a Jianghu-running Brother Pao manage it?

Chen Ji vaguely felt something was amiss.

Moreover, the story in the article seemed to have personally witnessed the events outside Chongli Pass, even knowing the setup of the White Tiger Festival Hall and the Wu Hou Watchtower layout in Baidadan City, which wasn't something Brother Pao could imagine...

Zhang Xia knew, but Zhang Xia wouldn't expose their affairs to the public.

Who else but Zhang Xia knew about this?

Wait.

Xiao Man, the little monk.

Chen Ji recalled Xiao Man's laziness not wanting to leave in the morning, along with the little monk's guilty demeanor. The two clearly knew about the coming revelation today, hence were refusing to step outside with him.

While walking, he heard women beside the road muttering: "What is love in this world, it makes one vow for life and death..."

"Mere shadow under thousand layers of clouds, to whom does it go under snowy hills..."

A woman praised: "I thought Li Changge's story was only fabricated embellishment by the Jiuli Jin Guang Sanren in the Four Dreams of Bianliang, not that beautiful. Yet unexpectedly, the real Li Changge and Second Miss Zhang exceed it."

Another shook her head: "I find Li Changge's story with the Princess more appealing, he and the Princess make a finer match."

The previous woman retorted unhappily: "But the Princess never did anything for Li Changge, unlike Second Miss Zhang who broke into the White Tiger Festival Hall for him; it's only such a neck-to-neck story that is enthralling."

"But the Princess was Li Changge's first true love!"

"They never vowed for life and death!"

Chen Ji passed through the argument helplessly, regardless of how the article affected him, the headline was indeed sensational enough on its own.

In just an hour, the newspapers in the building's rucksack were sold out, the phrase "What is love in this world, it makes one vow for life and death" was spread through the streets and alleys.

Chen Ji examined the Capital Morning News in his hands.

The bamboo paper was a bit coarse, being the cheapest writing material on the market, its edges were jagged. Many printed characters were blurred, frequently missing some, requiring multiple copies to be pieced together to read clearly.

The newspaper emitted a strong ink odor, some prints weren't fully dry, pressing a thumb against the text would imprint characters onto the skin.

Yet these seemed unimportant.

The important part was Chen Ji saw a thing that shouldn't have appeared in the Ning Dynasty, making him feel somewhat closer to home.

The Capital Morning News, front and back, totaled four pages. Besides the headline, the second page printed the spring imperial examination papers this year, including Shen Ye, the Poetry Champion of Huqiu Poetry Society's, essays from the preliminary, district, provincial, and palace exams, providing aspiring imperial scholars invaluable treasures beyond usual accessibility.

Someone marveled over the Morning News: "This Poetry Champion of Huqiu Poetry Society is indeed remarkable, no wonder he topped the exam."

"You don't understand, his success isn't just due to his exam essays, but because they hit on Your Majesty's priorities, all aligned with the new policies being pushed forward."

Chen Ji ignored the crowd, flipping through the Morning News to the third page, only to find a whole section of gossip from the Eight Great Hutongs, yesterday detailing which merchant visited which brothel, which affluent patron threw a Peach Blossom Banquet for which songstress, and which two patrons vied for affection over a leader, filled with trivial matters.

Now, Meihua Ferry Crossing's porters were spread through Outer City streets and alleys, easily probing such fresh news. Some cultured literati sneer at the third page, yet others relish it.

Arriving at the fourth page, there were only a few dozen words and a large title saying: Broadly Announced, Benefit All Four Directions.

Beneath the title read: "Even fragrant wines fear deep alleys, good goods must be known. Thus this newspaper intends to relay worldly messages. Currently, the fourth page awaits occupancy, available for merchants to boost names, shops to spread reputations. A tiny ground can reach countless eyes. Interested parties should quickly liaise, lest missing this golden opportunity."

Chen Ji raised an eyebrow, even advertisements were marketed.

Currently, the content of this four-page edition is somewhat lacking; the news content is insufficient, but as the debut issue, it's enough.

Nowadays, people everywhere are discussing this newspaper; some care about stories, some about the Imperial Examination, and some about gossip. It caters to both refined and popular tastes, letting everyone find what they need.

Inside Liuli Factory Alley, a woman pulls at the arm of a Meihua Ferry Crossing ruffian: "Is there any more of that morning newspaper?"

The ruffian opens his satchel: "None left, all sold out."

The literati surrounding the ruffian are quite discontented: "Why didn't you print more? Will there be more to sell tomorrow? Make sure to print more."

The ruffian explained as taught by Brother Pao: "Gentleman, newspapers are different every day; they only write about fresh news. Tomorrow's edition won't be the story of the Marquis of Wuxiang and Second Miss Zhang."

The crowd is amazed: "Different every day? Only fresh news? What does that mean?"

The ruffian scratches his head: "I'm not sure either, but you'll understand when you see tomorrow's issue. Also, just to let you know, not only can we write things for the newspaper, but all of you can also submit articles. If they're published, the paper will give you a remuneration, at least ten coins per line, and up to one tael of silver per line."

The literati expressed their curiosity: "So you're saying our articles can be published too, and we get paid silver? To whom should we submit our articles?"

The ruffian nodded: "In the streets and alleys, anyone carrying a satchel like me, you can hand it over to them, and they'll take it back to the landlord."

Chen Ji silently observed; the opening success of the Capital Morning News was a good thing. Brother Pao is efficient and meticulous, truly a talented individual capable of managing affairs single-handedly.

This morning newspaper is of great use to him, but has not yet reached the moment of the maps' edge and daggers drawn; let it be a toy for Brother Pao for now.

The critical point was that the front-page article subtly portrayed Chen Ji's gesture of welcoming back the Jing Dynasty Envoy as a heroic and duty-bound act, also writing about his venture through Anding Gate for the fallen soldiers of the Yulin Army, causing the readers to even forget about the previous disparagements from the storytellers.

Chen Ji felt the fading fire within his body finally brightened a bit, shifting from transparent to pale red.

This was an unexpected gain.

Just as Chen Ji planned to head to Wenchang Bookstore to continue searching for clues, he heard a familiar voice from behind: "Fellow Daoist, please wait!"

Chen Ji turned to look and saw Zhang Li slowly riding a Qing Niu through the narrow alley of Liuli Factory.

Zhang Li urged Qing Niu by patting its neck: "Can you move a bit faster? You're delaying my business every day!"

Yet Qing Niu continued to move sluggishly, ignoring Zhang Li's words.

Until Zhang Li spoke softly: "Next year, at the universal grand ceremony, do you still want to sneak eating offerings? You better work for me properly, next year I'll steal one of the three thousand six hundred deity offerings for you!"

Chen Ji watched from afar, clearly seeing Qing Niu's eyes light up slightly, glinting mischievously, and its steps became noticeably lighter.

He stood where he was, waiting for Zhang Li to come closer, and greeted politely: "Daoist."

Zhang Li replied irritably: "You kid, I told you long ago not to assume the merits and faults of the Jing Dynasty Envoy, now it has ruined the incense for the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, even the story I just wrote can't be sold! You've benefitted from incense before, why don't you listen to advice?"

Chen Ji responded earnestly: "Daoist, not everyone cares about gains and losses; some things are more important than gains and losses."

Zhang Li gazed into Chen Ji's eyes, eventually sighed: "Jianghu, loyalty and honor, passion and obsession, not knowing how many people are trapped, even Li Changge under my pen cannot escape mundane conventions."

Chen Ji laughed: "Daoist, I'm merely an ordinary person... What brings you to seek me today?"

Zhang Li pondered for a moment: "The former story has been written up to the nineteenth episode, now it seems it'll all have to be discarded. I'm planning to write a new one, thought I'd let you know."

Chen Ji was somewhat surprised: "Daoist, you specifically inform me when writing a story?"

Zhang Li sat on the back of Qing Niu and leaned down, staring directly at Chen Ji saying: "This time I won't be writing a fictional story. I'll be writing something true."

Chen Ji frowned: "True things? They're difficult to write."

Zhang Li continued to stare at Chen Ji: "This time, whether it's difficult or not isn't my concern, it's the concern of the Wordless Heavenly Scripture; I just handle the embellishments. Once this story starts, you and I will either both flourish or both suffer."

Chen Ji shook his head: "Daoist, my story is not suitable to be told."

Zhang Li said meaningfully: "Don't worry, I'll share your story after you leave the Ning Dynasty, publishing it in your troublesome morning newspaper for the world to hear."

Chen Ji was startled in his heart; this leading disciple of Huangshan Dao Court actually calculated that he was leaving Ning Dynasty?

Was it a guess, or a bluff?

Or did he truly divine something using Liu Ren?

Without waiting for Chen Ji to inquire further, Zhang Li already rode Qing Niu away, singing an unknown opera line: "You think life and death are two ends, life is one end, death is the other. But it's actually one line, with heroes pulling one end, beauties tugging the other. And then talking about right and wrong, the few rows of names in history; it's merely winners becoming lords, losers becoming bandits."

"Life and death, right and wrong, success and failure, glory and disgrace. Those who can let go and cross over become immortals, become ancestors..."