Chapter 152: The Function of the Exposition Area is Eavesdropping

After the morning court session on the fifteenth day, Zhu Yunwen changed into casual clothes. Before reaching Xi’an gate, he saw Ma Enhui in a bright green brocade robe.

“Empress, the weather is nice today.”

Approaching, Zhu Yunwen took Ma Enhui’s hand and whispered.

Ma Enhui smiled gently, saying, “The day chosen by Your Majesty must have the heavens’ favor. I wonder how China Bookstore is doing. Let’s go and take a look.”

Zhu Yunwen looked at the graceful Ma Enhui and said, “It should be good.”

Ma Enhui chuckled and said, “I heard that Your Majesty used some means. I wonder what method it is.”

Zhu Yunwen laughed heartily, “You will find out.”

After exiting the Xi’an Gate, is North Street at the base of the West Imperial City. Turning left to the north, is West 18th Street, cross Pearl Bridge, and continue north to reach Chengxian Street. To the west of Chengxian Street is the Imperial Academy, and not far to the east is the Small Training Ground.

China Bookstore was located at the north end of Chengxian Street. Zhu Yunwen and Ma Enhui walked and strolled all the way. By the time they reached China Bookstore, more than an hour had passed.

“It’s so lively.”

Ma Enhui looked at China Bookstore, where a constant stream of people crowded the entrance.

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, it seemed that the signboard of this China Bookstore has been well-promoted. As for whether it can retain people and establish a brand, it will require careful and gradual management.

“Let’s go take a look too.” Zhu Yunwen said with a smile to Ma Enhui.

Ma Enhui nodded and was about to enter the crowd. At this moment, someone gently blocked in front of Ma Enhui and Zhu Yunwen, waist flashing, revealing the Security Bureau’s badge, without saying a word, took the lead.

Zhu Yunwen and Ma Enhui entered the China Bookstore, inside it was packed with people, bustling and lively.

The entire China Bookstore was divided into four areas: Left Hall, Middle Hall, Right Hall, and Rear Hall.

In the Middle Hall area, there were historical works and records from previous dynasties; the Left Hall area featured popular novels and magazine collections; the Right Hall area had children’s enlightenment books like the “Three-Character Classic” and also served as a selling area for writing tools and inkstones, as well as the checkout area.

The rear hall area is the liveliest, truly different from any other bookstore.

Zhu Yunwen drew inspiration from the future and set up a reading area in the China Bookstore, clearing out the left and right side rooms behind the main store to create an exposition area.

Scholars tend to be argumentative. If they don’t like what someone has written, they’ll call it garbage.

If they find a poem overly sentimental, it’s still garbage.

Scholars often look down on each other, each thinking, “I am the one who can guide the country; others are all garbage.” Even if they only have half a bottle of wine, they can pretend it’s a full one.

As for how much real talent and learning they possess, that’s hard to say, but they all have lofty aspirations.

Although there are quite a few elderly people leaning on crutches among the scholars, the majority are young. By setting up an exposition area to unleash their youthful exuberance and at the same time, arrange for some ears to eavesdrop on the latest cultural news.

The ideological dynamics of literati still need to be grasped.

If these people are discussing Cheng-Zhu Confucianism and, in passing, discussing Zhu Xi’s taking a concubine, imagining the romantic affairs of old Zhu Xi, it’s okay.

However, if, while reading “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” they focus not on the content itself but on the issue of surnames, constantly wondering, “I’m surnamed Liu, you’re surnamed Sun, he’s surnamed Cao, Why is the world surnamed Zhu.” Zhu Yunwen would not be pleased.

He would send Liu Changge to invite them to participate in testing new instruments of torture, which can be considered as contributing to the country.

“‘Jing Ben Zu edition’ of ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’? Haha, why did they even add the words ‘Jing Ben Zu’?”

Ma Enhui picked up a copy of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and asked Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen explained, “Whenever printing books, it’s only through dissemination that their value is shown. These four words are actually a form of advertisement.”

“What is an advertisement?”

Ma Enhui looked at Zhu Yunxuan with some confusion.

Is “advertisement” a foreign word?

Zhu Yunwen explained to the expectant Ma Enhui, “Advertisement, in essence, is making something widely known. Street vendors calling out, shouting, the signs and banners of taverns and shops—all are forms of advertising. The four characters ‘Jing Ben Zu edition’ are, in fact, a kind of title commonly used when selling books. For example, one book may have the title ‘Jing Ben Zu,’ another may have ‘Jing Hua,’ and so on, used to promote and sell the books.”

Ma Enhui gained some insight, picked up a copy of “Commentary of Water Classic,” looked at the characters on the cover, and read, “It’s a book, already carved in multiple editions. However, there were errors and falsifications, so ancient copies were purchased, renowned scholars were consulted, and the text was meticulously examined and verified several times before this edition was completed.”

Seeing that Ma Enhui raised her head again, Zhu Yunwen said, “People in bookstores call this passage ‘Knowledge language.'”

“But did they really invite scholars and correct it multiple times?”

Ma Enhui inquired.

Zhu Yunwen shrugged and said, “That’s something you’ll have to ask the Two kings. This book comes from the bookstore. In my opinion, it’s just praising and exaggerating, a way to attract customers.”

Ma Enhui nodded silently, looking at the bustling crowd inside the store. A hint of a smile appeared in her eyes as she said, “Before, I complained about spending so much silver on setting up the bookstore, but now it seems you were right.”

“That’s right.”

Zhu Yunwen confidently smiled.

Exiting the China Bookstore, Ma Enhui saw many literati next door, holding books and waiting in line. Curious, she asked, “What are they doing?”

Zhu Yunwen glanced over and said, “This is Zhu Gui’s business. After hearing about the China Bookstore, he insisted on getting involved. In the end, the Two Kings gave him an idea to sell exquisite bookshelves and book bags.”

“In such a short time, he has done it so quickly?”

Ma Enhui was somewhat surprised.

Zhu Yunwen chuckled, “If it’s profitable, he naturally doesn’t want to fall behind. Now it seems he made the right choice.”

“But, didn’t you arrange for him to go back…”

Ma Enhui expressed some concern.

Ma Enhui know Zhu Yunwen’s arrangement to some extent. Zhu Gui handed over his fief, willingly engaged in business, and naturally needed a stable livelihood. What Zhu Yunwen provided for him was coal mining.

Coal is abundant in places like Shanxi and Shaanxi, so Zhu Gui might have to return to Shanxi.

Zhu Yunwen shook his head and said, “There is a large coal mine in Yixian County, Shandong. He can manage that. Transportation there is convenient, either by water or sea. However, there are some issues with the waterways in the northern regions at the moment. They can only use small boats, which is a problem.”

Ma Enhui was taken aback, grabbing Zhu Yunwen’s arm and said anxiously, “River restoration is a major issue for the entire country. It cannot be done recklessly.”

River restoration is definitely not as simple as using a bulldozer, as it is done in modern times.

In feudal dynasties, river restoration is connected to the foundation of the country.

Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty dug the Grand Canal, and the Sui Dynasty fell.

The Yuan Dynasty tried to fix the Yellow River, and there was a rebellion throughout the country.

If Zhu Yunwen makes another big move, this country…

Ma Enhui is well aware that river restoration is not a single whip method, curbing land consolidation, issuing policies, or executing policies.

It requires the conscription of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of laborers, and this is the most dangerous aspect.

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