Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 453 People Came to the House
After dismissing his staff, Yanagi Saro opened the window, and the guards standing outside immediately came in.

Liu Zuolang gave a few instructions, and the guard nodded and left briskly.

Liu Zuolang took out Wang Yan's name card again and looked at it. Although there was nothing written on it, he seemed to see a lot of meaning in it.

Over the years, many people have tried to win him over, some supporting the new law and others opposing it.

He did not entirely agree with Prime Minister Wang's new laws, especially the extreme methods Prime Minister Wang used to promote the new policies, which he found difficult to condone. Therefore, he never publicly expressed his support for the new laws.

The Emperor's health has been declining in the past two years. With each new emperor comes a new set of officials. If Prime Minister Wang were to step down, the new laws would face setbacks. Considering this, many people have other plans in mind.

So, which side should he stand on?
The old advisor walked around the courtyard and then headed towards Liu Erlang's house.

Liu Erlang was writing furiously at his desk, while four other scholars gathered around him to read the article.

Liu Erlang addressed the crowd, saying, "The printed articles must be flawless. Even rumors heard in the streets must be verified. Anything not yet confirmed by the government is not allowed to be used."

Several scholars nodded in agreement.

Liu Erlang said, "If we're going to write, let's write something useful."

Liu Erlang made such remarks more than once, and those who wrote the tabloid with him all agreed with them and followed his lead.

“I’ve delayed everyone’s preparations for the palace examination,” Liu Erlang said, looking at the group. “But this is the first time we’re printing a small newspaper in Bianjing, so we absolutely cannot rely on anyone else.”

Huang Zongwu, who came from Huzhou, was particularly talkative. Upon hearing this, he replied, "Brother Liu, please don't say that. Since we have all decided to do it, we should do it to the best of our ability. If we spend more time on the tabloids, we will sleep a few hours less each day to read."

The others nodded in agreement.

Hu Ying from Jiangling Prefecture also said, "Brother Zongwu is right. Besides, if we hadn't come to Bianjing, we wouldn't be able to do such a thing. Even if we don't pass the imperial examination this time, having this tabloid means our trip wasn't in vain."

The room suddenly became noisy.

"Brother Yang and Brother Weng will arrive a little later, but they will also get some. Most of the articles are already finished, so let's all keep going."

Several people had excited expressions on their faces.

The old aide waited until the people inside finished speaking before reaching out and knocking on the door.

The servant came out and immediately said, "Manager He."

Upon hearing this, Liu Erlang immediately handed the note in his hand to the person next to him and winked at them.

"Uncle He," Liu Erlang stepped forward and bowed to He Daosheng.

He Daosheng smiled and led Liu Erlang aside to talk: "Are you studying or...?"

"Let's read books," Liu Erlang said. "Everyone can guess the questions for the palace examination and express their opinions."

He Daosheng nodded: "That's good. Your father also asked about the tabloids."

Liu Erlang's expression changed slightly.

He Daosheng continued, "Don't let making tabloids interfere with your studies, otherwise your father will definitely lock you up, and then you won't be able to go out and move around."

These words reminded Liu Erlang that he would be better off renting a courtyard outside to write a small newspaper, so that his father would not notice him.

Otherwise, if it really happens as He Daosheng said, and his father locks him up, it will delay the printing of the tabloid, and all the work will be in vain. "Your father is busy every day," He Daosheng instructed again, "don't cause him any more trouble."

Liu Erlang said, "Uncle He, don't worry, I understand."

He Daosheng reached out and patted Liu Erlang: "You've grown up. You're sure to achieve great things in the future. Your father... is talented, but he hasn't had a good opportunity. In recent years, he has become more and more cautious. The Liu family will have to rely on you in the future."

He Daosheng's few words stirred Liu Erlang's blood, making him feel a greater weight on his shoulders.

The Liu family had studied for generations, yet none of them had achieved any success. Why was that? Perhaps it was because they were too disciplined, which fostered a rigid personality and prevented them from fully utilizing their talents.

“Alright, that’s all,” He Daosheng said. “I’ll go back and tell your father that you and the others are working on this in the study.”

Liu Erlang bowed to He Daosheng again. With He Daosheng's reminder, he would not bring the newspaper home before it was printed. He would not admit it if his father asked. He would apologize to his father after the newspaper was published and spread in Bianjing.

……

Bianjing (Kaifeng)

Guo Xiong's fleet gradually docked, but this time the boatmen did not rush to unload the cargo. Instead, they let the passengers disembark first.

Zhou Da stepped onto the ground, but still felt a swaying sensation under his feet, as if he were still on the boat. It took him a while to get used to it before he reached out to help the others disembark.

Zhou Da was from Yong'anfang. Like Granny Li and Yang Xiaoshan, he was one of the first to join the village association and helped manage its affairs. He was originally a carpenter, but later took over the job of repairing stoves. He had more than thirty people under him, divided into several groups, and they were busy all day in Daming Prefecture and the nearby prefectures.

Upon receiving the news that he was coming to Bianjing, Zhou Da selected the best dozen or so people to bring with him.

Once everyone had reached the shore, they looked around. Zhou Da was overwhelmed by the sights; Bianjing was far more prosperous than Daming Prefecture.

“Before Madam came, there weren’t many people here,” Guo Chuan told Zhou Da. “Later, Madam bought the land and opened restaurants, inns, teahouses and perfume shops, and then this place became lively.”

Zhou Da's eyes lit up: "You mean Madam has a shop here?"

"The shops that do good business here either belong to the old lady or are related to her. You'll see in a bit."

As Guo Chuan was speaking, Yang Hong and several others came to greet him.

When Yang Hong saw the people from Daming Prefecture, it was as if he had seen relatives. He was extremely excited and couldn't help but ask, "How is everyone? Is everyone alright?"

“Good,” Zhou Da said in a loud voice, “Our water shops and clay stoves are selling well, and the market is doing well too. Every morning, people carry water on the street to sell for washing their faces, and our tabloids are also in high demand. If you are late, you will definitely not be able to buy them. Now, some people are even making money by copying the tabloids.”

“Our village association is getting more and more members. People from Mingzhou, Bozhou and Xiangzhou are coming to join. When I came here this time, Grandma Li asked me to ask the eldest daughter if we could open a business in those states and find a place for the local village association to settle down.”

“Madam should agree,” Yang Hong pointed ahead, “I’ll take you to see the teahouse in a bit. Our village association’s base in Bianjing is in that teahouse.”

Zhou Da's interest was piqued by Yang Hong's words, and he couldn't wait any longer. He immediately said, "Let's go pay our respects to Madam first, and then we'll go see the teahouse."

Yang Hong led the group forward, saying that they should first pay their respects to the eldest daughter-in-law, but along the way they also passed by their own business, and Yang Hong couldn't help but tell everyone about it.

Zhou Da actually had a lot to say to Madam, mainly about the business and the village fair in Daming Prefecture. He not only wanted to share the good news, but also felt quite proud.

This at least proves that they did a good job in Daming Prefecture.

But now... looking at the newly opened businesses of those older women, the words he wanted to say suddenly... became hard to utter.

Taking care of the child took some time, so the update was late; there will be more tonight.