Chapter 111: You are Luo Guanzhong?!

Zhu Yunwen ascended the high platform, his gentle gaze sweeping across the officials and students. The once-bustling Imperial Academy suddenly fell into silence. Every person’s eyes were fixed on Emperor Jianwen, the Ming Dynasty Emperor, Zhu Yunwen.

“The path of higher learning lies in manifesting one’s virtuous character, serving the people, and ultimately reaching the utmost goodness. Understanding this utmost goodness leads to stability; stability leads to tranquility; tranquility leads to peace of mind; peace of mind leads to thoughtful consideration; thoughtful consideration leads to attainment. All things have their fundamental principles, and all affairs have their ultimate ends. Understanding the order of priorities is the way to approach the Dao.”

“Manifesting virtuous character, serving the people, and striving for the utmost goodness are the three fundamental principles outlined in ‘The Great Learning.’ Those of you seeking knowledge and wisdom should adhere closely to these principles. Live your lives by practicing investigation, the pursuit of knowledge, sincerity, rectitude, self-improvement, harmonizing the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world.”

“For investigation and the pursuit of knowledge, you must understand the underlying principles of the world. Everything, from bamboo to the Earth itself, from wind and rain to thunder and lightning, all follow certain principles. If you confine yourselves only to the Four Books and Five Classics, neglecting the various schools of thought and diverse arts and sciences, how can you truly pursue the path of investigation and understanding? How can you practice sincerity, rectitude, and self-improvement?”

“To harmonize the family and govern the state, you need to possess a vast and diverse knowledge. While the Four Books and Five Classics contain extensive wisdom, they are still insufficient. The Imperial Academy is the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty, and how can it remain confined to the Four Books and Five Classics? Reforming the curriculum at the Imperial Academy is not only the fundamental path for its future relationship with the court but also the only right path for you to achieve your personal goals!”

“Listen carefully, the reforms ahead will not be limited to the Imperial Academy alone. Province, regional, and county schools will also undergo changes. Furthermore, in the near future, the Imperial Examination system will incorporate knowledge from diverse fields! As Ming Dynasty officials, you should possess broad knowledge and a wide perspective, understanding the ways to govern both the state and the people.”

“The reform of the Imperial Academy is just the first step! Why did I choose the Imperial Academy? Because you are the elites! You are the pride of the Ming Dynasty! Your names should be recorded in the annals of history, for you are the heroes who are pioneering a new frontier in education and leading the Ming Dynasty’s educational reforms!”

“Let us all strive together, my fellow scholars!”

Zhu Yunwen’s words stirred the entire Imperial Academy, and countless students were filled with enthusiasm.

The Emperor had declared that the students of the Imperial Academy were elites, heroes, and pioneers!

This was an unparalleled honor!

No one wanted to be a mediocre or outdated scholar!

Reform!

Reform was the only way!

If this endeavor succeeded, their names would undoubtedly be etched in history!

Their glory would belong not only to the Imperial Academy but also to their families and future generations!

In this prime of their lives, they should contribute more, so that when their descendants spoke proudly, they would have ample material.

In the prime of their youth, they should lead the way, paving the path for a new era of education in the Ming Dynasty!

Xu Miaojin, too, looked at Zhu Yunwen, moved by his words.

In this era, who had experienced such an inspiring speech?

Moreover, these people were students, young and old, who were relatively inexperienced in the world. For them, the Emperor’s words carried immeasurable weight.

Zhu Yunwen glanced at the officials and students with gray hair, each of them overwhelmed with excitement, their faces flushed. Oh dear, one of them even fainted.

Alright, let’s carry him away.

It seemed that this individual’s physical condition couldn’t handle the excitement, leading to high blood pressure.

After addressing the Imperial Academy, Zhu Yunwen didn’t immediately return to the Imperial City. Instead, accompanied by Xie Jin, Xu Huizu, and Xu Miaojin, he leisurely strolled through the streets of Jinling City. As they walked and chatted, they unknowingly arrived at the Lu Fei Lane in the central city.

“Oh, I’m truly sorry, but even though your work is remarkable, we dare not print it. You should take your time and leave, sir…”

A refined middle-aged man in his forties respectfully returned the manuscript.

An elderly man, with silver hair and nearing his twilight years, trembled as he reached out to take back his manuscript. He gazed at the bookstore owner with a hint of desperation and pleaded, “Sir, won’t you please keep this manuscript? I’ve traveled to Hangzhou and Jianyang in Fujian, and no bookstore was willing to provide ink for it. Now, my health is deteriorating, and I fear I won’t be here much longer. I only wish to see this work spread among the people before I pass.”

“Mr. Luo, it’s not an issue with the manuscript itself. It’s the imperial decree; if we were to print it, cut it into volumes, and openly sell it, we would risk losing our heads.”

The bookstore owner said with a touch of reluctance.

Luo Guanzhong let out a sigh and took out an old handkerchief, attempting to wrap up the manuscript. However, due to his old age and emotional distress, his hands were unsteady, and the manuscript slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground.

“Ah!”

Luo Guanzhong let out a painful cry, as it seemed that more than just a book had fallen.

Zhu Yunwen’s gaze fixed on the manuscript on the ground, and he saw the words “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” written on it.

“This… what is this?” Zhu Yunwen exclaimed in disbelief, his eyes filled with anticipation. Without waiting for anyone else to react, he took a step forward, bent down, and picked up “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

His hands were trembling slightly.

Could this be the legendary “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” a work renowned both in China and abroad, and one of the Four Great Classical Novels?

“Sir?” Luo Guanzhong looked at Zhu Yunwen, his gaze filled with confusion.

“Luo Guanzhong?” Zhu Yunwen raised his head, looking at the gray-haired old man.

Luo Guanzhong was taken aback and examined the man in front of him. Since he didn’t recognize him, he respectfully said, “I am indeed Luo Guanzhong, but it seems that you are unfamiliar to me. May I ask who you are?”

Zhu Yunwen looked at Luo Guanzhong, finding it hard to believe in the inexplicable fate that had brought them together.

“Mr. Luo, please accept my respect!” Zhu Yunwen bowed deeply.

While others might not know about Luo Guanzhong’s “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,”Zhu Yunwen was well aware of it. In the future, virtually everyone, whether educated or not, would be familiar with “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

In households with a few books, there would almost certainly be a copy of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

This book had an incredibly profound and far-reaching influence. Zhu Yunwen believed that, regardless of the passage of time, the brilliance of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” would never fade.

Xie Jin, Xu Huizu, and Xu Miaojin, who were walking alongside Zhu Yunwen, were all dumbfounded.

The Emperor had actually bowed to an old man?

And with such solemnity and sincerity?

What on earth was happening?

Luo Guanzhong?

Who is this person?

Why does the Emperor know him?

Xie Jin was puzzled and racking his brains but couldn’t figure it out. He glanced at the signboard of the bookstore, which read: Tang’s Bookstore.

A privately-owned bookstore.

Luo Guanzhong hurriedly returned the gesture, and then looked at Zhu Yunwen with a puzzled expression.

Zhu Yunwen didn’t open “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” right away but said, “The rise and fall in the world, after a long period of division, must unite; after a long period of union, must divide. Mr. Luo, is this the opening of your book?”

Luo Guanzhong widened his eyes, and even the bookstore owner next to him was surprised. Both of them had clearly seen that Zhu Yunwen had never opened the manuscript, yet he somehow knew its content?

Could it be that this man was an extraordinary figure from another world?

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Yunwen opened the manuscript and examined it carefully. Sure enough, every word matched what he had said.

“Mr. Luo, did you come here to have this book published?” Zhu Yunwen only took a quick glance before closing the manuscript, then respectfully handed it over to Luo Guanzhong.

Luo Guanzhong nodded slightly and sighed, “Unfortunately, even though I’m willing to cover the cost of printing and provide money for paper and ink, no bookstore is willing to publish it.”

“This book may not delve deeply into scholarly matters or use sophisticated language, but its brilliance lies in its clarity and freshness. It will be remembered for generations. Why wouldn’t bookstores publish it?” Zhu Yunwen furrowed his brow and then turned to the middle-aged man who owned the bookstore. He asked, “Are you the owner of this bookstore? Why wouldn’t you publish such a remarkable book?”

“Um… sir, it’s not that we are unwilling to publish it, but there’s a royal decree in place. We dare not defy it,” the bookstore owner replied quickly.

“A royal decree? What kind of decree is this?” Zhu Yunwen asked, turning to Xie Jin.

Xie Jin sighed bitterly, took a step forward, and said, “This refers to the imperial decree issued in the twenty-second year of the Hongwu era. In the capital, anyone who can sing must have their tongues cut out. Prostitutes and actors are prohibited, except for those performing as gods, virtuous husbands, chaste wives, filial children, and obedient grandchildren, as well as those who promote virtue and joy, and those who contribute to peace. Any disrespect towards emperors and sages will be dealt with by the legal authorities.”

Zhu Yunwen frowned. What kind of law was this?

Old Zhu, are you capable of governing the country…

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