Chapter 30

Zhou Zhubu, as a sixth-rank official with real power, would not write a preface for a mere child scholar, let alone a scholar who was publishing a book. However, Fang Yun was different. If his work became widely known, the one who wrote the preface would also gain recognition.

"I'll take a look first."

Fang Yun handed over the manuscript he had written over the past few days to Zhou Zhubu.

Zhou Zhubu, upon seeing it, was greatly surprised and asked, "I heard that you almost lost your double-jia due to poor handwriting, but your writing, though slightly immature, is not bad. The structure and font have the style of a master. If you keep practicing for a year, you won't be inferior to those who have been guided by famous masters."

"I was ashamed after the county examination and worked hard to improve my handwriting, so now I can write decently," Fang Yun replied.

Zhou Zhubu did not delve deeper and continued to read Fang Yun's original manuscript of "The Western Chamber."

"You have improved the punctuation, making it easier to read. The two spaces at the beginning of each paragraph are also very novel, making it easier to read. Your writing style is very suitable for lazy people and for entertainment..."

Zhou Zhubu's voice suddenly stopped, and he looked at Fang Yun with a peculiar expression.

Zhou Zhubu was not particularly concerned about the new punctuation or the new paragraphing, and he could easily understand the paragraphing. He did not pay much attention to it because, at the level of a scholar, one could quickly understand a book even without new punctuation. As a juren, he cared even less about punctuation.

However, for child scholars or ordinary literate people, reading a book without punctuation would be very tiring.

Zhou Zhubu asked seriously, "Are you using this new punctuation and paragraphing to popularize this novel? Is it to make it easy for anyone who can read to understand your book quickly? Is the true target of your book the common people?"

Fang Yun replied, "Sir, you are wise. I didn't expect you to not only accept this method but also see through my intentions at a glance. I am very impressed!"

Zhou Zhubu smiled and said, "I am the chief clerk of the Literary Academy. Applying what we have learned is the foundation of us Confucian scholars. Otherwise, how could we deal with the demons and barbarians? Don't think of me as one of the few corrupt scholars. However, your idea is feasible, but the prerequisite is to have a sufficiently popular and engaging story. Since you dare to use this method, the story must have its own unique qualities. Let me take a look."

Zhou Zhubu began to read "The Western Chamber" seriously. After just three pages, he looked up and gave Fang Yun a deep look, saying, "The opening is novel, the structure is tight, and the writing is beautiful. Most importantly, the story is very smooth, without showing off literary talent or long-windedness, making it easy to understand. If the new punctuation is the novelty, then your story is the essence. The combination of novelty and essence is invincible!"

"Thank you for your praise, sir," Fang Yun said.

Zhou Zhubu continued reading, and Fang Yun thought he would gradually comment on "The Western Chamber," but he did not speak again and kept reading.

At first, Fang Yun was worried, but upon closer inspection, he realized that Zhou Zhubu was so engrossed in the book that he had completely forgotten about the person sitting next to him waiting for an evaluation. His facial expressions changed with the plot of the book.

Fang Yun secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the reason "The Tale of Yingying" and "The Western Chamber" have been popular for thousands of years and still praised by later generations is indeed commendable. Even a juren like Zhou Zhubu, who usually looked down on popular novels, was engrossed in it, indicating that in the Saint Yuan Continent, where popular novels are scarce, the new "The Western Chamber" would surely be accepted by hundreds of millions of readers.

Zhou Zhubu turned to the last page of "The Tale of Yingying," read it for a while, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face, but there was still a hint of reluctance, as if he was reluctant to see such a good piece of writing end.

"When I was young, I also liked to read strange tales. I thought I would no longer be interested in such novels after passing the juren examination, but after reading 'The Western Chamber,' I realize I was wrong. Good, not writing about strange tales but about human hearts, not writing about the imperial court but about men and women, this is the true popular novel, appreciated by both the refined and the vulgar! This preface, even if you don't let me write it, I will fight to write it. Perhaps hundreds of years from now, the only thing people will remember about me is the preface to your 'The Western Chamber.'"

"Sir, you flatter me," Fang Yun said.

"Your 'The Western Chamber' was probably written out of anger, right? The Liu family was indeed too much," Zhou Zhubu said sympathetically.

"Ah..." Fang Yun did not respond, lowering his head, afraid that his attempt to hide his true feelings would be discovered. In fact, "The Western Chamber" had nothing to do with his own experiences.

Zhou Zhubu became even more sympathetic to Fang Yun.

"Is there another one?" Zhou Zhubu asked.

"Yes. That is a previous idea of mine, which I have revised over the past few days. Although it is not as good as 'The Western Chamber,' it still has its merits. Please correct it, sir," Fang Yun said. The literary status of "The Western Chamber" was much higher than "The Pillow Story," and he only considered it as an addition, not giving it much importance.

Zhou Zhubu nodded and continued to read "The Pillow Story."

When he read about the appearance of a half-saint, Zhou Zhubu smiled and said, "You are quite bold, daring to write about a half-saint."

When he read about the scholar dreaming of entering Jingguo, he praised, "Wonderful! Very wonderful!"

After finishing "The Pillow Story," Zhou Zhubu did not speak immediately but thought deeply, more seriously than after reading "The Western Chamber."

Fang Yun was surprised. Wasn't "The Pillow Story" just a story about a scholar who dreamed and then woke up, giving up fame and fortune to pursue the path of sainthood? Why did Zhou Zhubu react so strongly?

"Good! This piece has a lofty theme and is thought-provoking! How can petty fame and fortune compare to the great path of the sages? This truth is known to all, and it has been repeatedly expounded over thousands of years, either through quotations or famous anecdotes. But to create a novel to promote the path of the sages, while also maintaining the story's appeal, using the dream of a yellow rice to warn future generations, is unprecedented! Glory is like a dream, and the path of the sages is the truth, a profound and significant message! This piece, though it may only have the talent of a prefecture, its great contribution to promoting the path of the sages surpasses even the national level. This piece will surely spread throughout the world."

Fang Yun was confused. He had only slightly modified "The Pillow Story" to cater to the mainstream ideology of the Saint Yuan Continent. How did it become "lofty and thought-provoking" in Zhou Zhubu's eyes? "The Western Chamber" was so impressive, yet in Zhou Zhubu's eyes, it was not as good as "The Pillow Story," which he wrote in just an afternoon to fill the pages?

Fang Yun recalled the famous novels of the Saint Yuan Continent and realized that there were indeed few that promoted the path of the sages. Even if there were, they were mostly superficial, with poor themes and stories, far inferior to the story of the yellow rice dream.

Fang Yun suddenly understood. It wasn't that "The Pillow Story" was really that good, but that it filled a gap in "politics, education, and ideology" in this era.

In contrast, although "The Western Chamber" had a much higher literary status than "The Pillow Story," in the eyes of Confucian scholars, it would never be as valuable as promoting the path of the sages.

Fang Yun felt a bit embarrassed. The praise "profound and significant" was too heavy. These four words were originally used to describe Confucius by Han Dynasty scholars and later to describe the sages.

Zhou Zhubu said, "Your manuscript will stay with me. I will personally present it to the Dean tomorrow. The next issue of 'The Path of the Sages' is already determined, so this piece will definitely be in the issue after next month."

Fang Yun was helpless. He really didn't want to draw attention to himself; he just wanted to focus on making money. Why did he have to appear in "The Path of the Sages" again?

"Are you overestimating 'The Pillow Story'?" Fang Yun asked tentatively.

Zhou Zhubu said seriously, "I have read all the issues of 'The Path of the Sages' throughout history and am very clear about the value of 'The Pillow Story.' I can assure you that within three years, a half-saint will definitely designate this piece as a required text for students in the ten countries' literary academies. 'The Pillow Story' is more than ten times as important as your previous national-level poem. Novels have been in decline for hundreds of years, and the last novel to appear in 'The Path of the Sages' was 'The Capture of Song Dingbo' by the great scholar Gan Bao, written over two hundred years ago."

Fang Yun could only remain silent, secretly rejoicing at his good fortune.

Appearing in "The Path of the Sages" not only brought fame and the opportunity to build a literary arch, but also the chance to obtain sacred pages. The number of articles published in "The Path of the Sages" determined the opportunities to visit places like the Sacred Stele Forest and the Sacred Tower. The highest reward was to visit the place where Confucius meditated or the place where a sage fell, which was not only significant but also immensely beneficial.

This was the fundamental reason why Academician Qu Zhengxiang of the Qing State obstructed Fang Yun.

Zhou Zhubu said, "Wait a moment, I'll go get the gift Cai He gave you." His tone was full of envy.

After a short while, Zhou Zhubu returned, holding a brown paper package. "The sacred pages inside are a gift from County Magistrate Cai. Although your poetry has been published in 'The Path of the Sages,' the distance between the two places is great, so your sacred pages will take at least a month to arrive."

Fang Yun quickly stood up, surprised and delighted, and said, "Is County Magistrate Cai really willing to give me sacred pages? He doesn't have many himself, does he?"

Zhou Zhubu said enviously, "He only has two, which were given to him by the Minister of Literature before he came to Jixian County, or rather, which he begged from the Minister of Literature. However, the original manuscript of your national-level poem is worth it."

Fang Yun carefully took the brown paper bag, opened it, and slowly pulled out a sheet of paper.

The paper was as white as snow but emitted a faint orange glow, as if wrapped in orange light. Fang Yun gently touched the surface of the paper, feeling a unique texture, as if small waves were rippling between his hand and the paper.

This sheet of paper had a mysterious attraction, making Fang Yun feel naturally close to it.

Zhou Zhubu explained, "This is the legendary sacred page. Its function is also legendary, doubling the power of battle poetry. If the poetry is exquisite and the talent is sufficient, it can even turn the virtual into the real. The sacred page is one of the strongest aids for our human race to resist the demons and barbarians and is the most precious legacy left to us by Confucius."

"How many sacred pages are produced each year?" Fang Yun asked.

"Officially, ten thousand are produced each year. Some are given to authors who publish poetry and articles in 'The Path of the Sages,' some to living half-saints, some to the families of the sages, and the rest to the ten countries. There has always been a rumor that the Confucius Mansion secretly produces sacred pages, adding two thousand more each year, but I don't know if it's true."

"How many does Jing State get each year?" Fang Yun asked.

Zhou Zhubu sighed and said, "Sacred pages are allocated to each country based on its area, population, the number of academicians and scholars. Last year, Jing State suffered a major defeat, losing three prefectures and one academician. As a result, it received fewer sacred pages than in previous years. Now, Jing State is said to have four prefectures and one capital, but in reality, it only has one capital and three and a half prefectures. To ensure the safety of the border, Saint Chen has contributed some of his sacred pages this year. I wonder about Jing State..."