I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 18 Small Considerations
Xie Haiya waved his hand, "No need for formalities. I'm setting off tonight to go back to my hometown for the New Year and will return on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year."

By the way, how's the Yunmeng Times doing?

Xue Xiangdao said, "In just four days, the circulation has already exceeded 2,200 units."

He was quite pleased with himself.

Of course, this outcome was by no means a stroke of luck.

Instead, he did a lot of research before deciding to start a newspaper, and found inspiration from the popularity of bookstores.

The novels and stories told in the bookstore were just a few sets over and over again, and extremely monotonous, but they still attracted a large audience.

Ultimately, the people of this world are severely lacking in spiritual, cultural, and recreational activities.

Recalling how Mr. Jin Yong supported Ming Pao with his pen, Xue Xiang wondered if he could replicate that success, after all, he had a famous orphanage supporting him.

Sure enough, he took a fantasy novel he once adored, "I Came from the Mortal Realm," changed its cultivation system, added local elements, and showed it to several veteran storytellers. They were all mesmerized.

At this point, Xue Xiang knew that "The Mortal World" would definitely be a hit. Sure enough, after he had the storyteller hype it up, the "Yunmeng Times" published it, and it immediately became a bestseller.

"Only two thousand two? I see people lining up everywhere to buy newspapers."

Xie Haiya had never seen such a scene before.

"Yes, we thought we'd become an instant hit, but we didn't expect it to be this popular. Our printing workshops are running out of stock, so we'll add three more cooperative printing workshops after the new year."

"What about funding? As far as I know, the current issuance volume is not enough to support the investment of human and material resources."

"I made an agreement with Mr. Dong that if the number of copies issued exceeded two thousand, he would not mention the relocation of Jiahe Town for three years."
In addition, I spent fifty spirit stones to purchase two advertising spaces.

His funds are already in place. Furthermore, I've been in contact with the managers of several major money lenders, and they are all interested in lending money to the newspaper.

"It's good to be good at studying, but it's even more valuable to be able to apply what you've learned to practical use of knowledge. By the way, who is Jiangnan? I'd like to meet him."

“An old scholar who does not wish to show his face, but only wants to study the classics until his hair turns white, I promise not to reveal his whereabouts.”

"What a pity! Such a brilliant mind! I never knew they could come up with such a story, portraying the cultivation world as so bizarre and thrilling. To be honest, I've been following the updates every day. Will you continue publishing during the Spring Festival?"

"Keep going, and give triple overtime pay."

"Perfect timing, I can accumulate a few chapters for updates. The Canaan Morning Post is coming to Yunmeng, and it's inevitable that there will be disputes with you. That Li Shaobai is a young master from a high-ranking family, and he's not easy to deal with."

Although your Yunmeng Times is affiliated with the Seventh Academy, the shareholding documents and such still need to be finalized as soon as possible.

"I'm ready, I'll bring it over to get it stamped in a bit."

"Very well, it's getting late, you may go now."

Xue Xiang bowed deeply and said, "This humble servant wishes Your Excellency a Happy New Year in advance."

Xie Haiya laughed and said, "This is the first time I've heard of wishing someone a Happy New Year in advance. Well, I guess I'll have to give you something in return."

I don't have anything suitable for you right now, let's wait until the new year."

Xue descended Jiufen Mountain, hired a horse-drawn carriage, and headed straight for the East Gate Station.

When he arrived, it was nearly 7 p.m., and the huge Yunmeng Station was bustling with noise, all of them travelers returning home.

A loud, piercing cry shattered the night sky.

More than ten dragon-horses, covered in scales and armor, as majestic as giant elephants, pulled another train into the station. Xue Xiang checked the train number and then sat back in the carriage.

He came here to bring his third brother, Xue Yi, home for the New Year.

Half a cup of tea had passed since the last tram arrived at the station, and the bustling station had gradually returned to tranquility.

Despite having received a promise of extra money, the driver could no longer resist and came forward to urge them on.

Just as Xue Xiang was about to speak, a figure that looked seven or eight parts similar to him came into view.

He hurried forward to meet him. The man saw him too, walked quickly over, and when he got close, he put down the heavy bag on his shoulder, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Elder brother."

"Good lad, you've grown so tall. When you were walking, you were just brushing my shoulder, but now you're up to my ear."

Xue Xiang patted Xue Yi on the shoulder.

He felt more ashamed. If "he" hadn't monopolized the family's resources, Xue Yi wouldn't have had to go to Yong'an at such a young age and live under someone else's roof.

"My eldest brother has lost weight, but he seems to be in good spirits. How are Mother, my second sister, Xiao Shi, and Mei Jie?"

"Everything's fine, everything's fine, everyone's waiting for you at home. Hurry up and get in the car."

The rumble of the carriage, crushing the ice in front of the Xue family's gate, came close to midnight. As soon as the carriage came to a stop, the curtain in the main room was opened.

"Third brother."

Xiao Shi, wearing a thick floral cotton-padded jacket, rushed over like a chubby tabby cat and jumped onto Xue Yi.

Behind her, Xue's mother, Liu Mei, her aunt Zhang, and Song Yuan also came out.

"Greetings, Mother; greetings, Aunt; greetings, Sister Mei; greetings, Xiao Yuan."

Xue Yi bowed respectfully.

Xue's mother stepped forward and hugged Xue Yi tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Your aunt is so lucky to have given birth to two successful sons."

Zhang stepped forward and chuckled, "Xiao Yi, you don't know yet, do you? Your elder brother is now the deputy director. He's quite successful. He's already helped you with your enrollment procedures at Baishui School."

You don't need to go back to Yong'an to learn counting rods anymore; you can go to school with your cousin Zijie..."

Ever since that day when she spent the Lunar New Year at her uncle's house, Zhang, who usually didn't visit the Xue family even once a year, has been treating the Xue family like a restaurant, coming several times a day.

It was already past midnight, and she still hadn't left, which surprised Xue Xiang and left him feeling quite helpless.

Fortunately, Song Yuan was a sensible girl. After exchanging greetings with Xue Yi, she pulled Zhang Shi away.

Xue Xiang added another hundred spirit silk, defying Zhang's feigned refusal, and invited her into the carriage.

After seeing Zhang and Song Yuan off, the family finally reunited in the main room.

Xue's mother, who was usually quiet, pulled her youngest son to sit by the stove and kept putting chicken soup dumplings into his bowl, her eyes full of heartache.

By the light of the lamp, Xue Xiang could also see Xue Yi's face clearly.

His still-youthful face is etched with the marks of time, and his large hands are calloused with rough, calloused knuckles.

Xue Xiang's heart skipped a beat; this was no ordinary hand that had learned counting rods.

As he was muttering to himself, Xue Yi finished a bowl of chicken soup dumplings, then opened the package he had brought with him and began distributing the gifts.

The gifts included wool gloves for Xue's mother, a set of animal chess pieces for Xiao Shi, hand cream for Liu Mei, cotton shoes for Xiao Wan, and an inkstone for Xue Xiang.

Mother Xue's tears fell again, and everyone felt a pang of sympathy.

Everyone knows that Xue Yi is an apprentice, only provided with room and board, without any wages. In order to save money to buy these gifts, he must have secretly suffered a lot.

Not wanting his mother to grieve, Xue Xiang quietly tapped Liu Mei's calf with his foot.

Liu Mei understood and took Xue's mother's hand, saying, "Xiao Yi, you must be tired from the journey. You should rest. We can talk about it tomorrow."

Madam Xue quickly got up and went to prepare the hot soup.

At 11:45 AM, Xue Xiang and Xue Yi lay side by side on the bed, while outside the window, the heavy snow was so intense that it seemed to bury the entire world.

Xue Xiang's eyes were wide open, but he didn't say anything.

Xue Yi closed her eyes and breathed evenly, as if she were fast asleep.

Xue Xiang knew that he hadn't slept, but had been waiting for him to fall asleep.

"You still want to leave?"

Xue Xiang finally couldn't help but speak up.

Xue Yi was startled and opened his eyes. "How did you know, elder brother?"

"Sister Mei took your shoes outside to wash them tomorrow, but you went out to relieve yourself and then changed them back. The calluses on your hands and your strong body are not things you can develop by learning counting rods."

"My elder brother has indeed changed a lot."

People always change, sooner or later. If I had realized this sooner, I wouldn't have dragged you down with me...

“Elder brother, I am doing this voluntarily. Our Xue family is also a famous family in Jiangzuo. I vow to let my father be buried in the ancestral grave.”

"You've joined the elite guards?"

"Big brother, you..."

Xue Yi was so startled that she sat up abruptly.

(End of this chapter)