Chapter 114: Empress, Let’s Establish a Publishing House

“Excellent verses!”

Luo Guanzhong praised deeply.

The natural flow of words, while rendering the historical rise and fall, desolation, and grandeur, also created a sense of tranquility and detachment in the midst of it all.

Regardless of the choice of words, whether it’s praising ancient times or expressing emotions, the depth of sentiment in this poem “Linjiang Xian” is truly outstanding.

What surprised Luo Guanzhong even more was that the tone and theme of this poem harmonized perfectly with the content of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms Simplified.” It added a touch of sentiment and heroism!

Zhu Yunwen gazed deeply at the “The Immortals by the River” in front of him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He had been changing the Ming Dynasty all along, and he wondered if figures like Yang Tinghe and Yang Shen would exist in a few decades.

Even if there were such figures, Yang Shen might not be spanked and sent to Yunnan as a punishment.

Without the experiences in Yunnan, Yang Shen would not have been able to compose the “Twenty-One Histories Ballad.” This “The Immortals by the River,” which expressed his thoughts on the Qin and Han dynasties, might not have existed in history.

Zhu Yunwen didn’t dare to take that risk.

Plagiarism then so be it, there was no way anyone could prove it. Let them search through all the books; they wouldn’t find any evidence…

However, Zhu Yunwen was not shameless enough to leave his name on. After thinking it over, he added the words “Yang Shen” to the poem and said, “This poem was composed by a talented individual named Yang Shen. It was not written by me. When printing and publishing this in the future, make sure not to omit the name.”

Xie Jin, who was well-read and considered himself a literary genius, frowned when he saw Yang Shen’s name. He said, “Your Majesty, someone who can compose such a poem must be extraordinary. Why haven’t we heard of him in the world of literature?”

Yang Shen?

A completely unfamiliar name. Even during the Ming Dynasty, not to mention the earlier Han, Tang, Song, or Yuan Dynasties, there was no mention of this person.

“Among the talented individuals in the world, there are many who may not be recognized through their writings, but they could be found in the countryside, or far away by the rivers and seas. It’s not surprising,” said Zhu Yunwen as he set aside his brush. He then turned to Luo Guanzhong and asked, “Mr. Luo, are you satisfied with the poem?”

Luo Guanzhong solemnly replied, “Your Majesty, this poem within the ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ complements it perfectly. I am deeply grateful for your appreciation.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, “Mr. Luo, although this ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ manuscript is outstanding, I hope you will stay in the capital for some time to make revisions to the text, add or remove details, and refine the language. Afterward, we can publish it and make it available throughout the world. What do you think of this proposal?”

Touched and with tears welling up in his eyes, Luo Guanzhong replied, “Your Majesty, I am willing to do so!”

Zhu Yunwen nodded and entrusted the manuscript of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms Simplified” to the supervisor of the printing office. He instructed, “This manuscript must not meet with any accidents. First, print ten blue-copy versions and provide them to Mr. Luo and the supervisors for review.”

“Understood.”

The supervisor complied and took away the manuscript.

In ancient times, people referred to books printed using woodblocks or movable type as “Blocks Book.” This was because printed books of that time were mostly ink-based, hence they were also called “ink book.”

In the early Ming Dynasty, there were “red-printed books” and “blue-printed books,” but these two types of books were not intended for mass printing and sale. Instead, they were used for proofreading and template modifications.

Only after the final version was determined would ink be used for mass printing.

This was the original meaning of “blue copy,” which later evolved into a term referring to the original reference material.

To accommodate Luo Guanzhong, Zhu Yunwen ordered a study to be prepared for him and arranged for the Imperial Medical Academy to provide a check-up. Following the advice of the Imperial Medical Academy, a person from the Imperial Food Office was assigned to take care of Luo Guanzhong’s diet.

Before leaving, Zhu Yunwen told the people in the printing office, “Any requests made by Mr. Luo must be addressed promptly and without delay.”

Such generous treatment not only astonished Luo Guanzhong but also surprised everyone in the imperial workshop, including Xu Miaojin, Xu Huizhu and Xie Jin.

To act first and report later, this is almost equivalent to the authority of the Imperial Sword, which allows actions to be taken before reporting.

Never have they seen the emperor treat any minister like this.

After Zhu Yunwen left, Xie Jin approached Luo Guanzhong and respectfully inquired, “May I ask, sir, how did you come to know his majesty?”

Luo Guanzhong, recognizing the person before him is Xie Jin, the renowned literary talent and a member of the Grand Secretariat, promptly returned the gesture and said, “To be honest, I am not acquainted with His Majesty.”

Xie Jin couldn’t comprehend it. You don’t even know the emperor, yet he treats you with such respect and courtesy?

Since people won’t speak, we can only rely on objects to communicate.

Xie Jin didn’t go to the Grand Secretariat; he went directly to find the eunuch in charge. He stood by, flipping through ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms,’ and once he started reading, he couldn’t put it down.

Xie Jin was so engrossed that he didn’t even notice Xu Huizu standing beside him.

Xu Huizu excelled in both literary and martial arts, possessing talents in strategy and leadership. Aside from practicing martial arts, he occasionally read books, though mostly military texts, and didn’t pay much attention to popular novels like this.

But after glancing at it a few times, Xu Huizu couldn’t help but get drawn in.

Xu Miaojin glanced at it a few times but wasn’t very interested in the book’s content. What’s so appealing about all this fighting and killing? She wanted to drag Xu Huizu back home, but he was unmovable. Frustrated, Xu Miaojin had no choice but to leave the palace by herself.

Kunning Palace.

Ma Enhui was calculating accounts when she saw Zhu Yunwen coming in with a smiling face. She stood up and greeted, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. The reform of the Imperial Academy is on the horizon, and our Great Ming will have lots of talents next year.”

“Haha, Empress, My joy is not because of the Imperial Academy, but because of one person.” Zhu Yunwen helped Ma Enhui up and said with a smile, “An old man who writes books.”

Ma Enhui smiled and said, “But for just an old man who writes books, would Your Majesty be this elated?”

“It’s different, very different!”

Zhu Yunwen smiled and looked at Shuangxi, saying, “Summon the Two Kings to the palace.”

“The Two Kings?”

Ma Enhui’s eyes suddenly brightened.

Now, both Zhu Zhi and Zhu Geng are merchants. If they are called to the palace at this time, it must be about something other than medical gauze and new-style stoves.

“Your Majesty, is there a new business?”

Ma Enhui asked with anticipation.

Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, “Yes, Empress, let’s establish a bookstore.”

“A bookstore?”

Ma Enhui hesitated a bit.

How many books from a bookstore can be sold, and how much profit can it make?

Confidently, Zhu Yunbo said, “Empress, the future profits from the bookstore will be no less than medical gauze. If it operates well, it will bring in a steady income. At that time, the expenses of the harem will no longer be a problem.”

“Really?”

Ma Enhui became delighted, walked to Zhu Yunwen’s side, and said softly, “Your Majesty, if it’s profitable, why do we need to involve the Two Kings? We can have someone from the palace handle it. After all, it’s just a bookstore.”

Zhu Yunwen turned his head, glanced at the frugal Ma Enhui, and pointed to his shoulder. Ma Enhui went behind Zhu Yunwen and began massaging gently.

“Empress, this is not as simple as just a bookstore. I want to print a lot of books.” Zhu Yunwen enjoyed it and said.

Curiously, Ma Enhui asked, “Your Majesty, what kind of book could stir Your Majesty like this? And how many copies do you want to print? Let me guess, ten carts? Twenty carts? It can’t be more than that, right?”

Zhu Yunwen raised his hand and extended three fingers, saying, “These.”

“Three carts?”

Ma Enhui stopped her movements and said frustratedly, “Only three carriages? Why would Your Majesty need to summon the Two Kings for that? It’s too frugal.”

Zhu Yunwen laughed heartily and said, “Empress, it’s not three carts, guess again.”

Ma Enhui furrowed her brows slightly, playfully punched Zhu Yunwen’s shoulder, and said, “Your Majesty, even if it’s thirty carts, it’s only three thousand books, not even as many as the Imperial Academy uses in a year. Although it’s profitable, it’s unlikely to make more than a thousand taels. It would be better to buy some more weaving looms.”

Thirty carts?

Zhu Yunwen sighed.

People of this era are too conservative, lacking imagination…

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