Chapter 27

When the call for updates rang out, a mischievous smile crept onto Xiaole Tian's lips. Although the reactions of the scholars outside were somewhat unexpected, they were still acceptable. Xiaole Tian was very confident in his book. He knew that the ancient people's forms of entertainment were limited, and they had no concept of the information explosion.

Now, these literati, apart from diligently studying the classics, would pass their idle time by reading books like "The Western Chamber" and "The Golden Lotus." While the lives of the wealthy were still relatively colorful, the spiritual lives of most lower-level literati were quite empty. They would read the same few books over and over again, long since tired of them.

Now, Xiaole Tian had given them a new choice, and he was using a novel method to spread it—serialization. Waiting for the entire book to be written before publishing? He wasn't that foolish. He wanted to use this humorous and informative serialized novel to capture their hearts. No matter how fiercely they criticized him, when a new chapter came out, they would be the ones to snatch it up first. For more and faster chapters, please visit.

Liu Yisi, hearing the shouts outside, suddenly smiled. "I don't know if your prediction about the president is accurate, but I believe your prediction about becoming a master of Western learning is likely to come true. I've read your book, and it's very impressive... However, I have a personal request. Could you avoid mentioning some events in American history?"

Xiaole Tian laughed. So, you're starting to feel embarrassed now? Afraid I'll expose the shameful acts like the genocide of Native Americans and the enslavement of Black people? Haha, that's not going to be easy. These days, no one cares about your face unless there's something in it for them.

Liu Yisi, seeing Xiaole Tian's mischievous smile, understood that this was negotiable, but it wouldn't be resolved with just words. It had to be about interests.

"Let's talk about this later. On one hand, I haven't even written about the war yet. I'll keep serializing, and by the time your intelligence feedback comes back, I might not even get to writing about America. No rush, no rush..."

At this moment, the shouts outside the Fan residence grew even louder. These scholars were clever enough to bribe the gatekeeper with money. When they learned that Xiaole Tian was staying at the Fan residence and hadn't gone out all day, their shouts grew even more intense.

"Update... Update... Update... We want to see Mr. Xiao..."

After putting on such a show, it was about time to make an appearance. The butler of the Fan residence stood outside the study and said humbly, "Sir, you should show yourself. If you don't go out, these scholars might break down the gate..."

"Break down the gate? I'll see about that! Butler, go tell them, are they here to argue or fight? If they want to seek knowledge, is this the way to do it? They call themselves scholars, yet they don't know manners! Where are their letters of introduction? Where are their invitations? Blocking my door isn't a skill. Go tell them, when they realize their mistake, I'll see them..." With that, Xiaole Tian slammed the study door shut and continued practicing his English with Liu Yisi.

The butler slapped his thigh, thinking, "Mr. Xiao is really impressive. There are at least seventy or eighty scholars outside, including juren and xiucai, and you say you won't see them and even ask me to scold them? Isn't that putting me in a difficult position? They are all literary stars, and I'm just a commoner. How can I scold them?"

But then he thought, "What am I afraid of? Didn't they call Mr. Xiao 'sir,' putting themselves in a lower position? If I scold them on behalf of Mr. Xiao, they won't dare to bite me!"

The butler took a deep breath and strode out.

Finally, the main gate of the Fan residence opened, and the butler came out with a serious face. "What's all the noise about? Quiet down, quiet down. Mr. Xiao has a message for you."

"Are you here to argue or fight? What did Mr. Xiao do to make you come in such a large group?"

The butler's words stunned everyone. They looked around, thinking, "That's right. We came to seek guidance, not to cause trouble." A young nobleman stepped forward and bowed. "Apologies, we were rash. Please tell Mr. Xiao that we are not here to cause trouble. We just want to meet him and listen to his teachings. That would be enough for us..."

At this moment, another young man spoke up. "Butler, this is Luo Hao, a Hanlin scholar. I am Zhang Jie, a military secretary. The others are also well-known scholars in the capital. We sincerely request to see Mr. Xiao. Please inform him on our behalf..." As he spoke, he took out a small silver coin and tried to give it to the butler.

The butler, who was used to seeing the master's business friends, was surprised to receive a tip from a high-ranking official. He bowed deeply and refused to take the silver.

"I thank you, sir, but Mr. Xiao has more to say. If you are not here to argue, please present a letter of introduction or an invitation... Mr. Xiao also said... also said..." The old butler's face turned red.

Luo Hao smiled. "It's fine. Even if Mr. Xiao scolds us, it will be a blessing. Butler, don't hesitate..."

The old butler quickly lowered his head. "Mr. Xiao also said that you are all scholars, and manners are important... You've been blocking the door and shouting for so long, it's embarrassing for Mr. Xiao!" The old butler then whispered, "Gentlemen, you should write an invitation. I think Mr. Xiao wants you to invite him to a banquet..."

"Oh! I thought it was a big deal. We were too hasty. I'll arrange a banquet at the White Flower Tower tonight. Luo, your calligraphy is the best, please write the invitation..."

They got to work immediately. The gatekeeper had ink, paper, and brushes, and the Hanlin scholar wrote the invitation while the military secretary prepared the ink. Soon, a respectful invitation was handed to the butler, who rushed it to the inner chambers.

In ancient times, an invitation wasn't just a matter of sending a note. The host had to wait for the guest's response before making preparations. So, without Xiaole Tian's approval, they couldn't leave. After a short while, the butler came out smiling. "Gentlemen, Mr. Xiao has accepted the invitation and will definitely come tonight!"

There was a collective sigh of relief. These people were all die-hard fans of "Journey to the West." They were excited and eager, each one preparing to meet their idol that evening.

The news that the author of "Journey to the West," Mr. Xiao, would be attending a banquet at the White Flower Tower spread like wildfire throughout the city. Any scholar who could connect with Luo Hao or Zhang Jie personally visited or sent messengers to inquire, all hoping to get an invitation. For the latest updates, please visit.

Luo Hao and Zhang Jie were in a bind. The White Flower Tower couldn't accommodate all the scholars in Beijing, so they could only invite those they knew well and those with a good reputation. The rest would have to be turned away.

As evening approached, the sky was just beginning to darken. The White Flower Tower, located deep in the Eight Great Alleys, was already lit up. The teahouse attendants were busy, and under the madam's direction, the finest gold and jade treasures were displayed. Even the porcelain was replaced with new pieces.

In China, it has always been said that talented men should be paired with beautiful women. When the madam and the girls heard that the famous Mr. Xiao was coming to the banquet, and that many of the top scholars in the city would be there, they were thrilled.

The girls started getting ready in the afternoon. They applied layer after layer of powder, and their cheeks were as red as monkey butts. Of course, the top girls were more refined, applying only a light touch of makeup, but they all brought out their long-stored foreign perfumes.

"Mr. Xiao grew up in the West. If we don't use some foreign goods to impress him, how can we catch his eye? These vulgar women..."

More and more people arrived. Today, Luo Hao and Zhang Jie had booked the entire White Flower Tower, and the madam, heavily made up, greeted each guest at the door, her challenging gaze infuriating the madams and girls from other establishments.

As time passed, the sky grew darker, and the red lanterns in the Eight Great Alleys were all lit. The fragrant breeze had turned into a river, intoxicating heroes and scholars alike.

When the foreign clock struck seven, a clear sound of hooves was heard at the alley entrance, followed by the rumbling of wheels on the stone road. Suddenly, a loud cheer erupted, growing louder and louder. When the people at the White Flower Tower saw clearly, the madam nearly fainted.

"Ghost... ghost pulling a carriage..." The teahouse attendant quickly supported her. The madam wasn't mistaken; it was indeed a ghost-pulled carriage, a British four-wheeled carriage with a black body and two bright gas lamps on either side of the driver, much brighter than the Qing lanterns.

The driver was a Kunlun slave, his dark face almost invisible in the night. If not for the white collar and cuffs, people might have thought the carriage was driverless.

It was a single-horse carriage, designed and built with top European parts, making it both light and fast. The handles, windows, and corners were adorned with shiny metal, making it clear to even the uninitiated that this carriage was far superior to the Qing black carriages.

The bell jingled as the tall Arabian horse galloped to the entrance of the White Flower Tower. The carriage door opened, and another black man jumped out, none other than Xiaole Tian's old friend, Simon, carrying a tripod and a camera on his shoulder.

A black, polished leather boot extended, the iron sole clinking on the stone. Then, a well-dressed young man with oiled hair emerged from the carriage.

"My goodness!" The madam nearly fainted. Not just her, but the scholars waiting at the door also exclaimed, "A half-foreigner... really a half-foreigner!"

Xiaole Tian was dressed in a well-fitted black suit, a pure white shirt, and a small bow tie, holding a British-style cane. His hair, slicked back with an unknown amount of pomade, was so shiny that even a fly would slip off.

This was the fourth year of the Tongzhi era. Foreigners had just started entering China, and the public was still in the stage of imagining what they looked like. Even the elderly would use absurd stories of red-haired, blue-eyed, hook-nosed foreigners who stole children at night to scare their grandchildren.

But today, Xiaole Tian stood before everyone, dazzling them with his appearance, showing that Western clothes could indeed look good, especially on someone who was a natural clothes hanger.

Suddenly, a flash of light burst out, and Xiaole Tian's image was permanently captured. At that moment, his mind was filled with a mischievous thought: "Future historians, seeing my cool, dominant, and awesome image, will wonder how to evaluate me."