Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 449 Anger
The Jinzouyuan was the place that reviewed and transmitted official documents from various places and compiled and issued official gazettes. Naturally, the gazettes issued there were the latest and most complete.

Liu Erlang read by candlelight, becoming more and more delighted with each reading. In Daming Prefecture, he didn't get much news like this, so the official gazette only accounted for a small part, with most of it being about cases in the city.

Things were different in Bianjing. The official gazette came from many sources, and much of the information was unknown in other places. If it was well-written, it could be sold not only in Bianjing but also distributed to various prefectures and counties.

For the imperial examinations, Liu Erlang had been studying diligently at home. Now that the exams were over, his burden was much lighter. Especially recently, when everyone gathered together, they often mentioned the tabloids and repeatedly brought up his articles. He felt particularly proud and his hands were itching to write.

If only he could get a tabloid up and running in Bianjing, how wonderful that would be! Even if he didn't get involved after entering officialdom, everyone who mentioned the tabloid would think of him.

Besides, tabloids are inherently beneficial to the people, as has already been proven in Daming Prefecture, so it's a good thing that he's taking action.

"Unfortunately, Zuo Shangying refused to come and help."

Zuo Shangying was too timid. After arriving in the capital, he refused to attend many banquets and rented a house in a very remote place, where he spent his days reading.

After the exam, I went to see the Dharma assembly at Baode Temple and then hurriedly went back, as I heard it was to prepare for the palace examination.

Liu Erlang could understand. Zuo Shangying's family was poor, with only a few acres of meager land. If he didn't pass the imperial examination this year, he didn't know if he would be able to raise the money to take the exam next time. Therefore, Zuo Shangying was also extra cautious, afraid of causing any trouble.

Thinking of this, Liu Erlang put away the official document, preparing to go and try to persuade him again tomorrow.

The next day at daybreak, Liu Erlang rode his horse to Zuo Shangying's residence.

"Zuo Dalang is in that house over there."

Liu Erlang couldn't help but cover his nose. Many of the nearby households raised livestock, and when a gust of wind blew, the smell was truly unbearable. Zuo Shangying's place was clearly a shack, hardly a house.

Thinking of this, he dismounted, picked up the food box, and went inside, just as Zuo Shangying heard the news and came out to greet him.

The two were delighted to see each other, and Zuo Shangying welcomed Liu Erlang into the house.

The room was fairly clean, but there was only a wooden table, a long bench, and a simple wooden bed at the back.

The only valuable things were Zuo Shangying's books.

Liu Erlang finally couldn't hold back any longer: "Pack your things, and come home with me now."

Zuo Shangying's pageboy's eyes lit up when he heard this, wishing his eldest son would go with him immediately. However, he knew his eldest son's temperament and decided against it.

Zuo Shangying remained remarkably calm, smiling as he said, "Brother Liu, don't worry. The results will be announced in half a month. Besides, the weather is getting warmer, so we won't get cold. I don't go out all day anyway, so it's the same wherever I am."

"Besides, I've already made an agreement with Granny Sun next door that we'll get our meals from her house every day. For the two of us, it only costs thirty coins a day."

Liu Erlang frowned: "My home is at least more comfortable than yours."

“How can studying not be hard?” Zuo Shangying said. “I don’t mind.”

Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Liu Erlang had no choice but to sit down, still in a bad mood: "You're really incredibly stubborn. So many people can stay at other people's houses, why can't you?"

Zuo Shangying didn't want to dwell on this matter any longer, so she reached out to pour water for Liu Erlang: "Erlang, did you come to see me for something else?"

When Liu Erlang saw the thick stack of papers in Zuo Shangying's book box, he knew that Zuo had been working hard these days. Compared to him, Zuo was quite idle.

Liu Erlang took a sip of water. The water tasted bland and tasteless, only enough to quench his thirst, much like Zuo Shangying's current situation. If it could help Zuo Shangying earn some money, that would be a good thing.

Thinking this way, he became even more determined: "I want to ask Brother Zuo to write a small newspaper together."

Zuo Shangying paused in his movement of picking up the cup, then looked up and said, "Didn't I already tell Brother Liu that we know nothing about Bianjing, so let's not do these things yet?"

Zuo Shangying did not expect that Liu Erlang still had not given up on this idea.

Liu Erlang said, “I’ve thought about what Brother Zuo said carefully, so I didn’t act rashly. I’ve asked around a lot these days, and guess what? Although there are no tabloids in Bianjing, there are already people selling official gazettes. I also went to the bookstores that sell official gazettes and they were all willing to sell the tabloids.”

"All we have to do is gather these official gazettes together, select and compile them again, and print them in the tabloids. Then, just like the tabloids of Daming Prefecture, we can add some cases, stories, and news from the streets and markets. For example, the reliquary of Baode Temple can be written on it."

Liu Erlang's eyes lit up, and he became more and more excited as he spoke: "Let's find those who saw the Buddha's miracle, ask them about their experiences, select some of them, and print them in the tabloids... How can tabloids not sell well?"

After Liu Erlang finished speaking, he noticed that Zuo Shangying's face remained calm, but there was some worry in his eyes.

"What?" Liu Erlang was as if he had been doused with a bucket of ice water. "You don't think it's good? If you have any other ideas, you can tell me." Zuo Shangying thought for a moment before saying, "Brother Liu, have you ever thought about this? In Daming Prefecture, it was Madam Xie who led us to make the tabloid. Now that Madam Xie has come to Bianjing, why doesn't she want to find a publishing house to print the tabloid here?"

Zuo Shangying had said this, and Liu Erlang thought he had explained it very clearly.

"Madam Xie's husband's family is in Daming Prefecture, so they have some support. But since she came to Bianjing, she probably feels unfamiliar with the place and doesn't dare to make a move."

Zuo Shangying nodded: "I think what you said makes some sense. In that case, let's do the same as Madam and not touch these things for now."

The room fell silent for a moment. Liu Erlang frowned deeply: "Madam Xie is very capable, but... if she doesn't do it, does that mean we shouldn't do it either?"

"I don't want to make money, I..."

“I know Brother Liu is not short of money,” Zuo Shangying said, “but isn’t it for your reputation? Has someone mentioned something to you during your time in the capital that makes you so eager to start a tabloid?”

"We shouldn't be thinking about these things now; we should focus all our efforts on the palace examination."

Seeing Zuo Shangying's serious expression, Liu Erlang felt a surge of anger. He had meant well, but Zuo Shangying didn't appreciate it at all and instead mocked him for pursuing fame and fortune.

It's truly a case of sincerity being trampled upon.

Liu Erlang immediately stood up: "Then just pretend I never came and never said these things to you." After saying that, he was about to leave, but Zuo Shangying reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Brother Liu,” Zuo Shangying said, “honest advice is hard to swallow, and we don’t even know how deep the waters are in Bianjing… You’re making it so easy for me to…”

“Who says I don’t know?” Liu Erlang said. “My father holds a position in the capital. I am, after all, from an official family. I can even go to the Imperial Academy. The people around me are all talented. Any one of them can help me with my plans. Why would I lack people to help me? I just wanted to give you a hand, but you not only made excuses but also spoke ill of me.”

"Forget it, don't say anything more, lest you ruin our past relationship."

"Brother Liu."

Liu Erlang walked forward, but Zuo Shangying blocked him again.

"I'll just ask you a few questions. You can leave after you've finished."

Liu Erlang had no choice but to stop.

Zuo Shangying asked, "Is the case at Yunqi Temple big or small?"

Liu Erlang nodded with a stern face.

The case involves officials and a cult, so it's no small matter.

Zuo Shangying continued, "And what about the South City Wharf?"

Liu Erlang continued, "That's not bad either."

"Is Madam Xie intelligent or not?" Zuo Shangying asked. "We've come from Daming Prefecture, surely we know what happened in Prefect Liu's case, and how much of our contribution was involved?"

"Why would you do something that even smart people don't do?"

“Because Madam Xie is a merchant,” Liu Erlang said, “if she has a good business, she won’t be obsessed with tabloids. We are scholars, so naturally we have different views.”

"Or perhaps you'd rather go into the perfume business?"

Zuo Shangying was speechless, realizing that his words were not persuasive and he could not convince Liu Erlang.

Liu Erlang walked forward, and when he reached the door, he thought for a moment, then took a money bag from the servant and handed it to Zuo Shangying's page.

"There's still some time before the imperial examination, so buy plenty of good food so you don't fall ill before the results are announced."

Zuo Shangying wanted to catch up and return the money, but Liu Erlang was in a hurry. He mounted his horse and rode away in a cloud of dust.

Watching Liu Erlang's retreating figure, Zuo Shangying stood there for a long time, feeling that something might happen to Liu Erlang if things continued like this, but he couldn't persuade him. What should he do?
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