National Division

Chapter 29 This is leveraging momentum! (Seeking monthly votes!)

Posthouse
Shen Bin was now glaring angrily at his son, speechless with shock.

"What did I tell you before? I told you to treat him with the respect due to a teacher. How could you write a poem to insult him?" Shen Bin became increasingly angry as he spoke, saying, "So you're trying to show off, aren't you?"

As he spoke, he began looking for sticks.

Shen Xian quickly hid behind Xue Zhihua and protested, "Father, this is not my fault. How can the abbot of Qingyang Temple be considered a paragon of morality if he stood by and did not help someone in distress?"

Seeing the father and son like this, Xue Zhihua was both amused and annoyed. She said, "County Commandant Shen, your son's poem is not wrong. These Taoists accept the court's offerings but do not work for the court. Their so-called carefree wandering is nothing but an illusion."

Shen Bin stood there, stunned, looking at Xue Zhihua with a puzzled expression, unsure of the attitude of this descendant of the Duke of Xue.

Xue Zhihua smiled and said, "Even if your son chooses a military career, he can still serve the country. County Commandant Shen, rest assured, I will do my best to support your son's future."

Shen Bin said, "Then I'll have to trouble Lord Xue to help me."

This can be considered as agreeing to Xue Zhihua's request to help take care of Princess Qing and her daughter.

After that, Xue Zhihua didn't say anything more and left the post station hall.

Shen Bin looked at Shen Xian, sighed, and said, "Are you really going to abandon your literary pursuits for martial arts?"

Shen Xian said, "The imperial examination is too slow to enter officialdom, and the attainment of Daoist knowledge requires dedicated study and cannot be achieved in a day."

In fact, at this time, the Great Jing Dynasty was still dominated by nobles and meritorious officials. It was not like the Great Song Dynasty, which had a long history of recruiting scholars through the imperial examinations. While a background in the imperial examinations was important, it was not to the point where being recognized at the Donghua Gate was more important than conquering new territories.

To put it bluntly, whether it's the imperial examination or hereditary privilege, for talented people, it's just a stepping stone to advancement.

Shen Bin's face showed a look of reminiscence as he said, "Qianniu Guard, back then, your uncle and I also wanted to join, but even with the combined efforts of the entire Shen family of Lanxi, we couldn't get in. This was because the guards were all sons of noble families who could serve in the emperor's presence. If one was lucky enough to catch the eye of a noble, one could rise rapidly in rank."

To put it simply, they were imperial bodyguards with swords in their presence.

Such opportunities were mostly given to the sons of imperial relatives and nobles.

Shen Xian said, "Let's postpone this matter for now, Father. I need resources to cultivate martial arts. You don't want me to be bullied by others if my martial arts cultivation is inferior to theirs after I join the Thousand Bull Guard, do you?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Bin became wary and said, "Let me tell you, the money I've saved is for you to get married. I can't let you waste it."

Shen Xian looked embarrassed and said, "Father, I have my own ways of making money. However, I need you to put more effort into martial arts and help me collect some techniques and unique skills."

"Didn't I give you the martial arts notes before?" Shen Bin composed himself and said solemnly, "In martial arts, the key is that no effort is wasted and success comes naturally. The worst thing is to be impatient for quick results and to try to do too much at once."

Shen Xian picked up the teapot, filled Shen Bin's teacup, and said, "The stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade. After I modified the Innate Realm cultivation method given to me by my father, I found that I have now stepped into the fourth level of the Acquired Realm."

Shen Bin said, "It's not surprising. He had a solid foundation from the water-based martial arts technique before, so after the change, he naturally accumulated knowledge and skills and was able to unleash his full potential."

Shen Xian said, "Father, please help me collect some more cultivation techniques."

He was overwhelmed by the name of the cultivation method he was currently practicing, and thought that finding two to combine was the right thing to do.

Shen Bin picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Alright, I'll keep an eye on this. Cultivation techniques are the foundation of a martial artist's life, and others won't give them to you easily."

Shen Xian nodded, knowing that his father was right.

Shen Bin was silent for a moment, then said, "However, you cannot neglect your literary pursuits. The imperial examinations are not only a path to advancement, but the current Empress Dowager values ​​civil administration talents the most. Those who only know how to fight and kill will only be used as pawns by others and will not last long."

Shen Xian said, "Father, rest assured, I also have a plan for this matter."

As he spoke, he turned around, took out the first chapter of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" that he had written from his desk, and handed it to Shen Bin, who looked puzzled.

Shen Bin took it, looking puzzled, and asked, "What is this?"

"Father, please take a look first."

Shen Bin took the manuscript and quickly began to read it. After all, he was a martial artist of innate talent, and his mind was far more agile than others. In no time, he had finished reading it.

"Is this a storybook?" Shen Bin asked, staring at Shen Xian.

Shen Xian said, "I guess so."

Shen Bin remained silent, waiting for Shen Xian to continue.

His son always comes up with new ideas.

Shen Xian said, "I plan to start a newspaper called Guhe Daily. It will serialize novels and introduce news from the county, such as the killing of demons and monsters, as well as report on the prices of grains and vegetables, to make things more convenient for the people."

Newspapers were a novelty; he bet there weren't any in this world.

This is undoubtedly a powerful propaganda machine that can help seize some control of the narrative.

Shen Bin's eyes lit up, thinking that this was feasible. He said, "Although the imperial court has official gazettes that are delivered to the residences of officials in prefectures and counties, ordinary people do not publish newspapers. Judging from what you have, it is probably a storybook or something similar, which can be used for entertainment. It should be fine."

"So it can be done?" Shen Xian asked.

“The imperial court has no laws or regulations governing the publication of newspapers, so it should be possible to do so,” Shen Bin thought for a moment and then reminded him, “but just like with printed storybooks, one must not slander the imperial court or make irresponsible comments about current affairs.”

Shen Xian did not agree directly, but said, "Father, I think we can get that Lord Xue to join us, that would be an extra layer of protection."

Judging from my father's words, that Miss Xue seems to be a descendant of the Duke of Xue, who is a top-tier noble in the Great Jing Dynasty.

Since he wanted to start a newspaper, it wouldn't be easy for him to publish it throughout Anzhou, given that his father was a county magistrate. Making money was secondary; the key was reputation.

With fame, not only is one's safety guaranteed, but one can also rise to prominence and achieve rapid advancement.

This can be considered the way of the novelist amidst the contention of a hundred schools of thought.

I wonder if any acts of charity or merit will be bestowed upon us?

Shen Xian's mind was filled with thoughts, and anticipation welled up within him.

This can be considered a pioneering move in the field of publicity.

Shen Bin paced back and forth, then turned around and said, "But the newspaper price should not be too high. The key is to make small profits but sell in large quantities to build a reputation."

Fame brings fortune; fame brings fortune. If his son can find another way to enter officialdom, he'll be better off than a military man.

Shen Xian said, "That's natural. We'll sell them for a few coins each first, and they'll sell well along the Guhe River in Anzhou."

Shen Bin looked at Shen Xian with a complicated expression and said, "Before you finalize the draft, show it to me first. Try not to criticize current affairs or attack the officials."

Shen Xian: "..."

Three reviews and three proofreadings, the Green Plan, right?
Damn it, even after arriving in another world, there's no escaping it?
Shen Bin earnestly advised, "I am doing this for your own good. The waters between the imperial court and the Daoist officials are deeper than you think. You are young and inexperienced, and your youthful impetuosity could bring great disaster to our family if you offend someone with your words."

Shen Xian said solemnly, "Father, rest assured, I will definitely assess the situation and not act rashly. As for what happened at Qingyang Temple today, although I spoke out against injustice, I also knew my limits."

If Crane Guardian were to retaliate against his "student" because of a single poem, then he would truly have wasted his entire life's cultivation.

These kinds of Taoists are the most self-assured, but their capacity is not so narrow.

As for whether to criticize current affairs, one can adapt to the situation. If one wants to do something, it is inevitable to offend people. Some people will dislike him, while others will admire him.

And here comes Lord Xue of the Vermilion Bird Bureau.

Shen Bin looked at the handsome young man and felt a surge of satisfaction. He stood up, patted Shen Xian on the shoulder, and said, "It's good that you know your limits. It's getting late, so get some rest."

A gentle pat on the shoulder, and everything is understood without words.

Shen Xian watched Shen Bin leave before returning to his own room.

Li Yan put down the knife he was wiping and asked, "What did your father say?"

"They didn't say anything, just that they would go back to the county town first," Shen Xian said.

Li Yan nodded and asked curiously, "What are you holding in your hand?"

Shen Xian said, "I'm writing a story to start a newspaper and make some money."

"A storybook?" Li Yan said with interest, "Bring it here, let me take a look."

Shen Xian handed over the manuscript, then went to the table and began to think about his next move.

As for the matter of demons, he didn't need to worry too much because Lord Xue was there. After returning to the county town, he would first make the perfume and then launch it on the market to earn some money.

Fortunately, I had studied perfumery in my previous life, so extracting the essence was not difficult.

Meanwhile, Li Yan had finished reading the first chapter written by Shen Xian and asked, "What's next?"

Shen Xian said, "No, for the time being."

Li Yan looked at him incredulously and asked, "This story is quite well-written. Did you write it?"

In the past, this could be called writing books and establishing theories.

Of course, since it's a novel, its style is much inferior.

Shen Xian said, "Yes, I was wondering if I could exchange it for some money to spend."

After all, these are novels by several masters such as Jin Yong, Gu Long, and Huang Yi, so the artistic content is three stories high. Moreover, the social novels of this time were generally quite rough.

Li Yan said, "It looks good, we can give it a try."

Shen Xian said, "I plan to publish it as a newspaper and record the whole story of this exorcism in it, so as to warn the world."

Li Yan frowned and said, "I'm afraid that the officials in the county will think that disclosing matters about demons will cause panic among the people, and they will try every means to obstruct it."

Shen Xian said, "Now that evil spirits are everywhere, if we keep hiding the truth from the world, I'm afraid it will only cause more dissatisfaction among the people."

The will of the people is like water; it can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

Li Yan thought for a moment, folded the manuscript in his hand, and said, "In short, you should consider this matter carefully, and it would be best to have the support of an important person."

Shen Xian looked at Li Yan's resolute face and said, "That was my intention."

The third uncle is clever and shrewd; this is an indication that he's considering whether he can get that Miss Xue out of the picture.

This is leveraging existing momentum!

　Please vote with your monthly tickets! Only when the book reaches the top of the new book charts will it gain greater exposure and go further. Thank you all!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)