Chapter 155: Learning Politics 1/2

The people who came to buy “Anjiang Collection” were all scholars, so there wasn’t a situation where people were desperately pushing forward to grab books.

Everyone entered one by one to buy books in an orderly manner.

On the day “Anjiang Collection” was released, the bookshop at Anjiang Academy would open the storage room it usually used as a warehouse specifically to sell the book. Meanwhile, other bookstores that sold all kinds of books operated as usual.

In the past, after buying “Anjiang Collection,” those scholars might go to other bookstores to browse and buy some other books, or they might go in small groups to explore the outskirts of Anjiang Academy.

The area where students of Anjiang Academy studied was off-limits, but there were many places to explore in the outskirts. In spring, the peach trees near the academy blossomed together, creating a beautiful scene in the provincial capital.

But today was different.

Today, people who had bought the book couldn’t care less about buying other books or exploring Anjiang Academy. They found a place and immediately started flipping through the “Solitary Writer Collection” they had received.

Anjiang Academy had never done such a thing as giving away other books with the purchase of “Anjiang Collection”… this book was too special.

There had been people eager to read after buying books before, but not many, and those people would only read for a while before leaving. But today…

Li Qingzhi watched as more and more people around him started reading…

“Why is everyone in such a hurry to read? Is this month’s ‘Anjiang Collection’ really that good?” Zhu Xunmiao was curious.

Du Yongning was feeling a bit regretful. He shouldn’t have tried to show off in front of Li Qingzhi and ended up at the end of the line.

If he had paid to get a place in line with the others, he would have bought the book by now!

“I’ve always admired the Solitary Writer. I really want to see his articles soon,” Du Yongning said.

Du Yongning had read “Injustice” by the Solitary Writer. It was the first time he had read such a book, and he was deeply moved by the stories in it, crying heavily late into the night.

Because of this, he remembered the experiences of the people in the book particularly well, feeling like he would never forget them in his life.

He even had the urge to go to Linhu County and give those people some money, but because of the upcoming court exam, he ultimately didn’t go.

“Me too,” Zhu Xunmiao said.

Seeing Li Qingzhi remaining silent, Du Yongning asked him, “Brother Li, why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t you like ‘Injustice’?”

Li Qingzhi replied, “No, I love it. I could recite it backwards.”

Du Yongning knew about Li Qingzhi’s photographic memory ability and snorted, “If I had a photographic memory, I would definitely be able to recite this book backward too!”

“Too bad you don’t,” Zhu Xunmiao remarked.

Du Yongning: “…”

As they chatted, the line kept moving forward, and when they were about to reach the front, Du Yongning suddenly asked, “Li Zixiao, where does your wife get the braised chicken and duck she sells?”

Du Yongning’s voice was soft, but Li Qingzhi still heard him. “My wife makes them herself and brings them from Chongcheng County.”

Du Yongning: “…”

At this moment, it was finally Li Qingzhi and Zhu Xunmiao’s turn.

Zhu Xunmiao said, “Give me one hundred copies of ‘Anjiang Collection.'”

The clerk asked, “Sir, why are you buying so many?”

Zhu Xunmiao replied, “My friend’s articles are published in it, so I want to buy some extra copies to give away.”

Actually, he felt like one hundred copies were still too few, but he couldn’t carry more back.

Hearing Zhu Xunmiao’s explanation, the clerk said, “Sir, you might have trouble carrying so many books.”

“Never mind, I’ve hired someone,” Zhu Xunmiao said.

Indeed, Zhu Xunmiao had hired someone. When he found out that there were articles by Li Qingzhi in the “Anjiang Collection” while waiting in line, he paid a porter nearby to help carry the books.

Since Zhu Xunmiao was genuinely interested… the clerk began to fetch the books for him.

After the clerk had finally finished counting and handed the books to Zhu Xunmiao, Li Qingzhi followed suit. “I also want one hundred copies.”

The clerk asked, “Why are you buying so many?”

Li Qingzhi pointed to Zhu Xunmiao. “I’m his friend whose articles are published in the ‘Anjiang Collection.'”

He had recently made a lot of acquaintances and received many books, so Li Qingzhi felt he should also give away some books.

“I see…” The clerk began counting books for Li Qingzhi.

By this time, Zhu Xunmiao had already placed his purchased books into the porter’s basket.

Finally, the clerk finished counting books for Li Qingzhi, and it was Du Yongning’s turn.

Du Yongning asked, “Can I buy the ‘Solitary Writer Collection’ separately?”

“Sir, that book is a complimentary gift…”

“Alright, I’ll take two hundred copies!” After the court exam, Du Yongning planned to hold another reading session with others to read the “Solitary Writer Collection,” so naturally, he needed to prepare more copies of the book!

Previously, he had bought two hundred copies of “Injustice” and distributed them everywhere.

And… he was definitely going to buy more copies than Li Qingzhi!

“Sir, why are you buying so many…” If everyone bought books like this, they wouldn’t have enough to sell!

“I came with him,” Du Yongning pointed to Li Qingzhi, as if implying they were also good friends.

The clerk could only fetch books for Du Yongning.

Du Yongning didn’t need to hire a porter; he had come by sedan chair, so he could take the books with him in the sedan chair.

While Du Yongning was buying books, Zhu Xunmiao had already opened the “Solitary Writer Collection,” and as soon as he looked at it… he couldn’t put it down.

Li Qingzhi’s eight-legged essays were indeed very good, but when he read them, he mainly did so with a learning mindset, able to put them down after reading a bit. However, this article was different; as soon as he opened it, he couldn’t stop reading.

Zhu Xunmiao stopped in his tracks.

Li Qingzhi: “…”

More and more people nearby were standing and reading books, as if they were all reading the “Solitary Writer Collection”?

Thinking this, Du Yongning also opened the book…

Another person stood nearby the bookshop, not moving.

“Such great articles!” “The words of the Solitary Writer are too sharp!” “Reading one of his articles is worth ten years of study!” “The Solitary Writer travels among the people, seeing the suffering of the common folk, his writings are truly exceptional!” “This book is worth a careful read!”

People who opened the “Solitary Writer Collection” spoke, then continued reading…

Li Qingzhi was extremely familiar with these articles and didn’t feel like reading, but he thought it would be better to go with the flow… He flipped through the book and secretly glanced at the “Anjiang Collection,” memorizing its contents.

His eight-legged essays were well-written, and a large part of the reason was that he remembered many articles.

Eight-legged essays followed a format, so once you’ve seen enough of them, they become easy to write.

It’s like the pre-apocalyptic artificial intelligence: give it some paintings, and it can paint; give it some articles, and it can write with a similar style.

Li Qingzhi was even smarter than artificial intelligence, he wouldn’t make strange mistakes.

While Li Qingzhi was reading, many officials in the provincial capital received books from Anjiang Academy.

When Governor Zhang learned that Anjiang Academy had sent him books, he immediately had them brought to him.

Then he discovered that there were actually two books.

“The Solitary Writer Collection”? Fang Shanchang was clever, he printed another book!

Governor Zhang flipped through it, thinking of sending this book to the capital.

The imperial examination in Daqi was presided over by the education officials of each province.

The provincial education official of Jiang’an Province was named Cheng. Cheng Xuezheng was a thin middle-aged man in his forties. He was about the same age as Governor Zhang, but he had less gray hair and fewer wrinkles, making him look about thirty. Standing next to Governor Zhang, they looked like two generations.

Cheng Xuezheng had been busy with the preparations for the provincial examination during this time.

At the moment, he was chatting with someone about the students participating in the examination. “I heard that among the students participating in the examination this time, there is one with photographic memory?”

Others chimed in, “I heard that too. His name is Li Zixiao, and he’s quite knowledgeable.”

“His articles have even been published in the ‘Anjiang Collection.'”

“Some people previously said that his articles were ghostwritten, but that’s been clarified now…”

Cheng Xuezheng chuckled, “I’ve seen his articles in the ‘Anjiang Collection,’ and they are indeed impressive. If he can write such articles during the examination, he’s the most suitable candidate for the top spot in this examination.”

Hearing Cheng Xuezheng’s words, others also agreed.

Just then, someone came to report that the August edition of the “Anjiang Collection” had arrived.

Cheng Xuezheng instructed someone to bring the books over. At this moment, an official present said, “Master Cheng, I received news that Li Zixiao’s articles are featured in this month’s ‘Anjiang Collection’.”

“In that case, I must take a look,” Cheng Xuezheng said.

Cheng Xuezheng was very interested in the students participating in the examination this time, and he had known about Li Qingzhi’s existence for a long time.

There had been rumors before that Li Qingzhi had someone ghostwrite his articles, which disappointed Cheng Xuezheng. However, in recent days, some articles attributed to Li Qingzhi had emerged, and every word seemed like a pearl to Cheng Xuezheng. He felt that the previous allegations were unfounded, and he became even more interested in Li Qingzhi as a result.

The books were quickly brought over, but there were two of them… Cheng Xuezheng was surprised, “The ‘Solitary Writer Collection’? The articles written by the Solitary Writer who wrote ‘Record of Injustice’?”

Cheng Xuezheng had indeed read “Record of Injustice” before.

In fact, he was originally associated with the King of Jin, but he wasn’t completely tied to the King’s faction.

He chose the King of Jin purely because he believed the King would ascend to the throne in the future, and… because the King had promised some things to his family.

Even though he was associated with the King of Jin, he still felt that the actions of the Lou family and Magistrate Yan were too excessive. After reading “Record of Injustice,” he even wrote a letter to the King of Jin, advising him not to be too indulgent towards his subordinates.

The Solitary Writer had caused a great deal of trouble for the King of Jin, but Cheng Xuezheng didn’t resent him.