Chapter 148: Xie Jin Approved

After Yang Zirong’s words left Wei Chao speechless, laughter and mockery erupted from other scholars and citizens in the bookstore.

“You, you just wait and see!”

Wei Chao, angered, dropped a threatening remark and tried to leave. However, Yang Zirong took a step forward, blocking Wei Chao’s way, and said, “If you leave like this, the bookstore owner can accuse you of obstructing business and damaging property. According to the new commercial regulations, you might have to visit the Three Law Office.”

Yang Zirong’s words left Wei Chao horrified. Grinding his teeth, he reluctantly took out a few pieces of silver, threw them on the bookshelf, nodded to Tang Run in acknowledgment, and then left in embarrassment.

“Thank you, Mr. Yang.”

Tang Run expressed his gratitude.

“No need to be polite. It’s just a matter of injustice. Although the content of ‘Cui Yingying’s Waiting for the Moon in the West Wing’ is inappropriate, it brings joy to people. Many people use this as a source of entertainment. Without this book, wouldn’t life be a great regret?”

As Yang Zirong spoke, he took out a piece of silver and handed it to Tang Run before leaving with style.

“This person is surely fit for government service.”

Xie Jin, watching Yang Zirong’s departure, whispered.

Zhu Yunwen admiringly glanced at Xie Jin. With such insight, Xie Jin was well-positioned in the Grand Secretariat.

Zhu Zhi shook his head and said, “Young people are too sharp and unrestrained. Not necessarily a good thing.”

Zhu Yunwen smiled faintly and said, “You’re wrong. He is not a reckless youth. Even when dealing with problems, he didn’t use his real name. It can be seen that he is capable of handling affairs decisively and judiciously. He is both mature and prudent, yet resolute when faced with challenges.”

Both Xie Jin and Zhu Zhi were somewhat surprised. How could the Emperor know if someone used their real or fake name?

Unable to contain his curiosity, Zhu Zhi asked.

Zhu Yunwen glanced at both of them and nonchalantly said, “The list of scholars compiled by the Ministry of Rites does not include Yang Zirong. Since he is a scholar, he must have used a fake name.”

Xie Jin furrowed his brows and said, “That list contains over five thousand names…”

Who could remember over five thousand names?

Zhu Yunwen looked at Xie Jin but remained silent.

In ancient times, people did not necessarily adhere to the martial arts law of “not changing names while walking, not altering surnames while sitting.” When individuals grew up and found their given names by their fathers unpleasant or inadequate to express their aspirations, they could change their names.

For example, the well-known Western Han literary figure Sima Xiangru was originally named Quanzi, and people used to call him Sima Quanzi when he was a child.

Quan means dog.

Always being called Er Gou Zi (Second Dog) wouldn’t be appropriate, right?

I guess being called “Second Dog” for twenty years must have been unbearable. so he looked through the history books and thought, “Hey, this Lin Xiangru^[1]Lin Xiangru (Chinese: 藺相如; pinyin: Lìn Xiāngrú) (died c.July 260 BCE[1]) was a politician and general of the Warring States period, who served the state of … Continue reading seems like a decent character. I’ll make him my idol. From now on, I won’t be called Sima Second Dog anymore; I’ll change it to Sima Xiangru.”

You see, changing names was also a way for ancient people to idolize.

Then there’s Zhu Yuanzhang,

Originally named Zhu Chongba(朱重八), I guess old Zhu family wanted to name him “Zhu Baba(朱八八)” but “Zhu Baba” is easy to confuse with generations, so “Chongba” is better.

Later, almost Zhu Chongba’s entire family died, hating the Yuan Dynasty, and he was determined to overthrow it. So, he changed his name to Zhu Yuanzhang, meaning “to exterminate the Yuan Dynasty.”

Zhang, a jade ritual object with the appearance of a knife.

Of course, besides expressing personal initiative, emotions, and aspirations, there are also times when names are changed involuntarily. For instance, when a new emperor ascends the throne and to avoid using the name of the reigning emperor, he/she may need to change their names.

Xu Yungong changed his name to Xu Huizu to avoid using the name of Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen.

Yang Rong has changed his name more than once; let him be.

“Let’s go, settle the bill.”

Zhu Yunwen walked towards the counter, looked at Huang Erjin who was helping on the side, and praised, “Well done.”

Huang Erjin looked at Zhu Yunwen in surprise. Just as he was about to kneel down, he heard Zhu Yunwen say, “Let’s settle the bill; I just came to take a look.”

Huang Erjin quickly took the books, checked the titles, and respectfully said, “eight coins, thank you.”

Zhu Yunwen looked at Zhu Zhi, and Zhu Zhi helpless, handed the money to Huang Erjin. Huang Erjin then handed the money to the shopkeeper.

“Erjin, come here, take away these books.”

Tang Run said somewhat disheartenedly to Huang Erjin.

“Master, this ‘Cui Yingying Awaits the Moon in the West Chamber’ is selling well. If we take them back, won’t it be a big loss…”

Huang Erjin was a bit anxious.

Tang Run sighed and said somewhat dejectedly, “Although the court has issued a ban, in recent days, people have been making trouble in the store. It’s not a good way to keep them and stir up trouble. It’s better to take a loss and throw them to the back hall.”

“This…,”

Huang Erjin was reluctant.

In the Tang Bookstore, the sales of “Cui Yingying Awaits the Moon in the West Chamber” were exceptionally good. It could sell twenty or thirty copies every day. Calculated at three coins of profit per book, the daily profit was seven or eight taels of silver, amounting to at least two hundred taels of income per month.

If they were to lose this book, the bookstore’s profit would probably decrease significantly.

However, Huang Erjin was just a shop assistant and couldn’t make decisions. He could only follow Tang Run’s arrangement and prepare to move “Cui Yingying Awaits the Moon in the West Chamber” to the backyard.

Zhu Yunwen frowned and shouted to Huang Erjin, who was preparing to leave, “Put the books down. Sell them here. Since the court has not banned the book, it is allowed to buy and sell. Whoever causes trouble, send them to the yamen!”

“Alright.”

Huang Erjin smiled and agreed.

Tang Run looked at Huang Erjin with frustration. You are obedient, who is the owner, him or me?

“It is you?”

Tang Run looked at Zhu Yunwen, suddenly remembered and hurriedly asked, “Is Mr. Luo still in the capital? About the manuscript…”

Not leaving behind Luo Guanzhong and his manuscript was a big regret for Tang Run.

Zhu Yunwen smiled and said, “Forget about the manuscript for ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms.’ Continue selling ‘The West Chamber,’ I guarantee that no one will cause trouble in the future.”

“Guarantee? How can you guarantee that?”

Tang Run felt somewhat bitter. The person in front of him seemed to be an official of the court.

However, what could court officials do? It wasn’t practical to station bailiffs at the bookstore to arrest troublemakers. If bailiffs were stationed there, no one would dare to come to the bookstore to buy books.

Zhu Yunwen looked at Xie Jin and said, “I’ll leave this matter to you.”

Xie Jin was somewhat surprised but then smiled calmly, nodding, “Please prepare writing tools for me.”

Before Tang Run could make arrangements, Huang Erjin had already prepared everything.

Xie Jin walked to the counter, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and after a brief contemplation, he wrote, “Xie Jin purchases 20 copies of ‘Cui Yingying Awaits the Moon in the West Chamber,’ praising it.”

After finishing writing, Xie Jin reached out to Zhu Zhi for money. Zhu Zhi simply turned his head away, The emperor buys books, and I pay for them. That’s because we’re one family. When you, Xie Jin, buy books, why should you also ask me for money?.

Not giving!

Zhu Yunwen satisfied with Xie Jin’s writing, told Zhu Zhi “Give it.”

Zhu Zhi helplessly took out twenty taels of silver and secretly vowed:

With Jie Jin around, no more shopping.

Tang Run looked at the words on the paper in shock, then looked at Xie Jin, and finally fixed his gaze on Zhu Yunwen.

Xie Jin, the renowned talent, a secretary of Grand Secretariat!

If he was Xie Jin, then the young man next to him…

The Emperor?!

Tang Run’s legs felt a bit weak. He didn’t know whether to kneel or not. With half-bent legs, he wiped away the cold sweat.

Zhu Yunwen gently said to Tang Run, “As long as it doesn’t violate the court’s prohibitions, just keep selling. I’ll take responsibility for you. Just one thing, don’t evade taxes.”

“Absolutely, absolutely.”

Tang Run quickly replied.

“Erjin, let’s go, remember to visit home more often.”

Zhu Yunwen bid farewell, then left with a smile.

After sending away Zhu Yunwen and the others, Tang Run looked at Huang Erjin and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you actually know the emperor?”

Huang Erjin grinned, picked up the words left by Xie Jin, and said, “Master, how about we hang this sign at the entrance of the bookstore?”

In a moment, Tang’s Bookstore became crowded with people, and “Cui Yingying’s Waiting for the Moon in the West Chamber” was sold out, becoming a sought-after book.

Xie Jin aprroved, do you think it’s good or not?

Xie Jin bought twenty copies, look, I’m also a talented scholar, how many copies should I buy?

With the booming sales of “Cui Yingying’s Waiting for the Moon in the West Chamber,” the words “May those with feelings become eternal companions, without parting in old age, perpetually united for all eternity” became the most romantic confession for countless literati.

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