One of the passers-by

The birthday of Zhen Guo Gong Wei Wuji is April 26.Because it was the whole birthday of the [-]th birthday, it was very lively.And because Zhen Guogong Wei Wuji Jane is in the heart of the emperor, he is very popular, so on this day, there is an endless stream of relatives, courtiers and officials who come to the Zhen Guogong's mansion to celebrate his birthday.

When Xue Yan, Wei Guogong and his wife arrived at the Zhen Guogong's mansion, they could see a crowd of sedan chairs and horses in front of the Zhen Guogong's gate from a distance, and there were many pedestrians. The whole street was blocked by carriages, and it was impossible to pass.

The eldest princess of Pingyang looked out through the green bamboo curtain in front of the carriage, and saw densely packed carriages clustered in the wide alleyway, the breeze in April was warm, and the noisy noise drifted along with the wind, and occasionally the guests at the gate of Zhenguo's mansion The sound of singing salute echoed to Xue Ji and his son with a smile: "I knew there were so many people, we should ride horses."

Xue Yan leaned on the car window, smiled and said, "I should suggest to His Majesty that in the future all streets in Chang'an City will be trafficked on the right side. Firstly, it can prevent the carriages of officials and eunuchs from consolidating the road, and secondly, everyone will have a way of walking. It won't be blocked like this."

It's not the Beijing city of later generations!

Duke Wei smiled when he heard the words, reached out and patted Xue Yan on the back, but didn't say anything.The servants of the Duke of Wei's mansion and the carriage ran forward, and they didn't know what they said to the chief steward of the Duke of Zhen's mansion. just stopped in front of the door.

Zhen Guogong Wei Wuji and his son Wei Ziqi came out in person, and everyone chatted and laughed at the door, and Wei Ziqi led Wei Guogong's family of three into the main hall.

Wei Ziqi didn't forget to ask Xue Yan about his collection of poems.Xue Yan smiled at Wei Ziqi, and just said "Don't worry."

Duke Wei and Princess Pingyang noticed their conversation and asked curiously, "What are you talking about?"

"It's nothing." Xue Yan hooked the corners of his mouth pretending to be mysterious, and smiled at Wei Guogong: "Give Uncle Wei a surprise. I can't say it now."

Seeing this, Wei Guogong looked at Princess Pingyang and smiled, because he said: "Pretending to be a ghost."

Xue Yan and Wei Ziqi looked at each other and smiled, neither of them said anything more.

Because the identity of Princess Pingyang is not the same as that of others, when Duke Wei's mansion came to celebrate her birthday, most of the guests in Duke Zhen's mansion were present.What was left was that Emperor Yong'an and the Empress sent people to give gifts, and the princes of other uncles either sent people to give gifts, or the master's family visited in person, or sent the younger generation to come to give gifts. And so on.

After a while, all the people came.Zhen Guogong returned to the main hall to entertain the guests.First, he exchanged some polite words, because he had already learned from his servants that Wei Ziqi was sneaking around in his study these days, and searched everywhere for his old handwriting, even chatting with Xue Yan without knowing what to do. What.Duke Zhen had been curious for a long time, but he just kept holding back and didn't ask.Now that it was the day of his birthday, Wei Wuji didn't hold back, and asked Xue Yan with a busy smile, "I wonder what my nephew has prepared to celebrate my old man's birthday? Forgive me for being so shameless, I really can't help but ask him face to face."

When everyone in the hall heard the words, they all burst into laughter.

Xue Yan smiled unconsciously, but stretched out his hand to beckon the servant of the Duke of Wei who was following behind him. The servant was holding a small black lacquer and gold box in his hand. Xue Yan took the small box and handed it to Duke Zhen.

Wei Wuji opened the box himself, but there was only one thread-bound book inside, and on the blue cover was written Wei Gong's hand tie.The style is very simple and simple.

Wei Wuji flipped through it curiously, but saw that the handwriting on the book was sparse and sharp, which was really impressive.But other than that, there's nothing special about it.

Wei Wuji looked at Xue Yan unconsciously and curiously.

Xue Yan hooked the corner of his mouth and looked at Wei Ziqi with a smile.Only then did Wei Ziqi start talking about movable type printing.And it is clearly stated that the Weigong Handbook in Wei Wuji's hand is the first "private notebook" engraved after the advent of movable type printing.

What is originally ordinary, but when the word "first" is attached to it, it always has some unusual meanings.What's more, since Xue Yan made his fortune in Youzhou, there have been many incidents over the years. Even if every thing he does seems ordinary, it will always cause some trouble in the end.

The guests in the hall were all important ministers in the court, and they naturally understood what the emergence of movable type printing could do for Da Chu's education.What's more, during the time Xue Yan was in the Imperial College, he did not have less troubles.As a result, all the courtiers have heard of the name of movable type printing directly or indirectly, so they all have fun to express their congratulations to Zhen Guogong.

Xue Yan also smiled and said: "It's not worth a lot of money, only this new idea is good."

Lord Zhen only felt that he had gained face by accepting this gift, so he was very proud.I can't help showing my "Wei Gong Handbook" to everyone in the hall.

For scholars, writing a book and passing it on is actually the most attractive thing besides being an official in the court and glorifying the lintel.Duke Zhen's showing off at the beginning could attract everyone's support, but after showing off for a long time, it is inevitable that some people will feel sour and start to think of ways to cheer up Duke Zhen.

For example, Jiang Zhi, the Duke of Lu, sowed discord to Xue Ji, the Duke of Wei, in a rough voice: "...Look at Wei Shusheng's frivolous appearance, isn't he just a broken book, and he is worthy of his success. Originally, I didn’t want to say much about the days when the dog was on the tip of its tail. It’s just that I’m not convinced—it’s fine for others to pay it off, Xue family boy, Duke Wei is your dear father, why don’t you publish a book for your father?”

Seeing Duke Lu's officers and men so sour and jealous, he couldn't help laughing and said, "Old Jiang, don't sow discord here. Duke Wei has fought in the battlefield for many years, and he has used soldiers like a god." , How could I be fooled by you. I know you are envious of me having such a good nephew, if you are so kind to beg me now, if I write a book again in the future, I just don’t forget to write about you."

Jiang Zhi, Duke of Lu, heard this, snorted through his nose, waved his hands like a big cattail fan, and said: "I still need to beg you, when I am free tomorrow, I will write a book myself, called Yan'er used his or something to engrave tens of thousands of copies of Sanren."

Zhen Guogong deliberately angered Jiang Zhi and said: "You can write a book and talk about it? I don't know how many big characters you can recognize, but you have made such an ambitious wish. I really admire you."

Hearing this, Duke Jiang Zhi of the State of Lu stared at Wei Wuji with eyes like a commander, and said viciously: "Why, my old Jiang can't read a few words, so can't he write books? Let alone, My old Jiang is thinking about writing this book of war as a family heirloom, so it’s worth it.”

Hearing Jiang Zhi's words, not only Zhen Guogong, but also other people in the hall burst into laughter.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhi raised his voice quite unconvinced: "What's the matter? You don't believe me? If you don't believe me, I'll write it out tomorrow. I'll show you guys."

After finishing speaking, he pulled Wei Guogong Xue Ji again and said: "There is a way that you get the moon first if you are close to the water. Since your son is so capable, Xue Gong will also write a biography in front of the book, so that we can live up to the eternal clarity..."

Hearing what Jiang Zhi said, Duke Wei immediately waved his hands and smiled wryly.Yin said: "It's very good, why did it come to me again."

After finishing speaking, he pointed at Xue Yan and said with a smile: "It's all your fault."

Xue Yan chuckled.Although the guests were envious and jealous in their hearts, it was just a joke, and they didn't take it seriously at the moment.

Who would have expected that after Duke Zhen's birthday, Duke of Lu, Jiang Zhi, would hold back a copy of the so-called "Jiang Family's Art of War" after he went to his home, and bring the original manuscript to Xue Yan, forcing Xue Yan to use movable type printing A thousand copies were engraved and presented to all relatives, friends, and even colleagues and subordinates.

Xue Yan had no choice but to respond to Lu Guogong's request, and sent this "Jiang Family Art of War" to the Ministry of Industry, printed it with movable type, and then handed it over to Lu Guogong.Originally thought that this would be able to send Jiang Zhi away for a quieter time.Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhi's book of war not only failed to bring him a peaceful life, but became the trigger for the beginning of the troubles that followed——

Last time, I mentioned that writing a book and setting up a biography is an irresistible honor for literati.At the beginning Xue Yan used "Wei Gong's Hand Pie" as a congratulatory gift to celebrate Zhen Guogong's birthday. The ministers saw it, although they were envious, they didn't think of anything.Afterwards, I saw that Lu Guogong Jiang Zhi, such a rough man with no literacy, could lick his face and write the "Jiang Family Art of War".Everyone couldn't sit still.But because of face, it's not easy to come forward and say that I want to write a book or something.

So it was explicitly implied that children from various families had brought poems and articles written by their elders when they were young, and asked Xue Yan to help write a collection.The waiters even had the confidantes of various officials come over to beg Xue Yan with Shangfeng's manuscripts, hoping to please Shangfeng...

Of course, due to Xue Yan's status, those who can seek him are naturally the prince's family, the mainstay of the court.In other words, it's hard to refuse these people's demands.

Xue Yan couldn't, he couldn't push this and keep that.Since it's not good to favor one over another, I can only take it all at once.

Fortunately, Xue Yan is in a good mood at the moment—anyway, it is the Ministry of Industry officials who are suffering and working overtime.It's also good.

Until the end, even Emperor Yong'an and the Supreme Emperor couldn't sit still.They called Xue Yan into the palace one after another, hesitatingly mentioned that he also had the intention of writing a biography, and even brought Duke Wei to accompany him.Even Empress Wei twisted Nien to express her desire to write a book "The Rules of Women" to educate the women in Da Chu's boudoir, and Princess Pingyang was eager to write a book "Women's Art of War". Yan was dumbfounded.

But after thinking about it, Xue Yan figured it out again, and unconsciously asked: "It's great that your majesty and empress want to write a book. But why do you want to find me?"

Emperor Yong'an and Empress Wei smiled at each other, because they said: "Of course I want Yan'er to help—"

Having said that, the two most noble couples in the empire have also woken up.That's right, why did you ask Xue Yan? After finishing writing, just ask the Ministry of Industry to engrave it, wouldn't it be over?Why do you want to find Xue Yan's head?

Emperor Yong'an and Empress Wei looked at each other in blank dismay, and finally had to push the reason to "thinking patterns".

Of course, Da Chu at this moment does not have such a word as "thinking pattern", so Emperor Yong'an and Empress Wei can only feel that they have also "echoed others".

But at this time, Xue Yan didn't care about God's empress.He is struggling to deal with it. Ever since he moved away from the Taiji Palace, his life has become more and more leisurely, and he has become more and more wanting to be the Supreme Emperor.

Because the Supreme Emperor summoned Xue Yan into Xingqing Palace, and said that he was also thinking about a book, and he was thinking about a book that had never been written by anyone throughout the ages.It's just that I haven't thought of what to write for the time being, so I ordered Xue Yan, a "ghost" to come up with a few good ideas.

Xue Yan didn't even think about it, and said directly: "Then just publish an autobiography of the Supreme Emperor."

The Supreme Emperor didn't even think about it, and directly denied it: "The conclusion of the coffin can be determined by historians. I am too lazy to brag about myself."

Xue Yan: "..."

Then he said: "The Supreme Emperor raised his troops from Jinyang, all the way to Huanglong and entered Chang'an. He must be familiar with the scenery of every state in the world. Why don't you write a book of Kanyu Zhi?"

The Supreme Emperor shook his head again, and said with a smile: "I'm old, and I can't remember what I experienced when I was young. What's more, the situation was so urgent back then, and it was too late for me to save my life, so I don't have time to wait and see."

Facing Xue Yan's disapproving appearance, the Supreme Emperor sighed again and said, "What's more, Daro Shiro and the others were all there back then. When I think of them..."

Xue Yan immediately retreated after hearing the words.He hurriedly said, "Then change to something else."

It was not easy for the Supreme Emperor and His Majesty to settle their suspicions.If you insist on asking the Supreme Emperor to write "Memoirs", and then bring up the sad past of the Supreme Emperor, something will really go wrong. Xue Yan can't bear the responsibility.

Seeing what Xue Yan said, the Supreme Emperor immediately smiled and said: "Then trouble Yan'er to find a way. I am old, and there is really nothing new."

Xue Yan: "..."

Bearing the heavy responsibility given by the Supreme Emperor, Xue Yan left the palace and returned to Duke Wei's mansion.I saw Wei Guogong, who was waiting for him to gossip in the inner hall on weekdays, and Princess Pingyang, who were all soaking in the inner study, seriously looking up information and writing articles.

Xue Yan couldn't help wondering why everyone went crazy overnight.It's just a book.

However, in front of Duke Wei and Princess Pingyang, Xue Yan didn't mention this matter, he only talked about the Supreme Emperor calling him into the palace, and then went to the case, picked up a few pages written by Xue Ji After looking at it, Yin smiled and said, "I can't understand what Aye wrote."

Hearing this, the Duke of Wei laughed and said, "It's because you have been studying in the Imperial College for so long, and you don't even know the book on warfare."

Xue Yan smiled and said: "Those who don't know are not guilty. Besides, when Aye writes military books, he should be concise and concise, from the shallower to the deeper. How can the writing be surrounded by clouds and mountains and fog? You need to know how many military households Da Chu has. Literate. Aye's writing is so profound that even I can't understand it, let alone those military households."

Princess Pingyang heard it from the side, and she couldn't help laughing: "Silly boy, you Aye wrote military books, of course not for those illiterate military households to read."

Xue Yan curled his lips when he heard this, and shook his head in disapproval.

Seeing this, Duke Wei laughed and asked, "If you have anything to say, you might as well listen to it." Xue Yan laughed and said, "Since ancient times, famous generals like to write the art of war in a concise and concise way. So when later generations learn the art of war Sometimes, I always feel that it is difficult to understand. However, since I am writing a military book, I should not talk about those empty words. Instead, I should give more examples and use more detailed data to support it. Otherwise, it is easy to appear Zhao Tuo That kind of talk on paper. It’s also like those literati who have never been on the battlefield. They can’t lift their shoulders or lift their hands. Even if they are familiar with military books, they may not be as good as a veteran who survived the battlefield. There are a lot of them. So these military books should be read by those military households. In this way, they can 'link theory with actual combat', and maybe they can become generals in the future."

Although this statement is simple, it has meaning.Princess Pingyang smiled when she heard the words: "You have a good idea. However, military households have always been poor, so how could they afford to study. Let alone military households, Da Chu has established the country for more than ten years now, and two generations Your Majesty has made great efforts to govern, and the situation is considered good compared to the previous dynasty. How many people can really afford to study? Your words are too strong."

Xue Yan laughed and said: "If you really want to, how difficult can it be? For example, there is an Imperial College in the middle of the court, and all prefectures and prefectures also have prefectural schools, prefectural schools, county schools, and even private schools of various families. Learn Confucian classics. Then why can’t military schools be established? People who are talented in martial arts can be admitted to study, and after they have completed their studies, they can kill enemies for the country, and they can also let those soldiers who have made national achievements in the army enroll in schools. One is literacy , The second is to be familiar with the art of war. Isn't it the best of both worlds?"

Duke Wei and Princess Pingyang were taken aback when they heard the words.Xue Yan just said it casually, because he said: "You can also invite those generals who have experienced the battlefield to teach in the army, so as to prevent those uncles from talking about having no successors all day long, and fearing that the art of war will be lost in the future, and the family will be lonely. Your Majesty can also see more generals at the grassroots level in the army. As the saying goes, it is easy to get a thousand troops, but it is hard to find a general. Now the Da Chu Dynasty is a soldier who knows the generals, and the generals know the soldiers. Side. If one day the foreign enemies all retreat—"

When Xue Yan said this, he stopped abruptly.Because what will be said below involves imperial power and military power.Da Chu implemented the government military system, so the generals and governors who controlled the military power had great power. Xue Yan didn't want to arouse suspicion from many people with an unintentional move.

However, those who are as intelligent as Duke Wei and Princess Pingyang can naturally see the true meaning from Xue Yan's few words.The husband and wife looked at each other, looked at Xue Yan who was silent like a cat biting his tongue, and asked with a calm smile, "So what can we do if the foreign enemies are all backed away?"

"It's okay?" Xue Yan tried to play dumb.However, looking at Duke Wei and Princess Pingyang with a mirror-like heart, he smiled and said, "Da Chu is surrounded by powerful enemies. If you want to completely defeat these powerful enemies, it may not be possible in ten or twenty years. What I think now Too much is useless."

"Be prepared. What's more, our family talks behind closed doors, but we just think about what to say. Is it possible that someone will reveal it?"

Xue Yan also smiled when he heard his father's words.Sitting cross-legged in the study, he smiled and told the rules of the future army and school.At the end, he laughed again and said: "It's just that I'm studying in the Imperial College these days, and I have nothing to do to think about it. Don't take it seriously, Aye."

Duke Wei and Princess Pingyang looked at each other with a smile, and said to Xue Yan: "We know this well, and it has nothing to do with you."

Xue Yan: "..."

When he came back to his senses, he asked his parents for advice on how to advise the Supreme Emperor.Unexpectedly, Duke Wei and Princess Pingyang pushed two-six-five, didn't bother to pay attention to Xue Yan's troubles, and said with a smile: "The trouble you caused yourself, you should find a way to solve it. There is nothing new about me and you, Aye. son."

Xue Yan stared at his parents dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

At the moment, I don’t want to talk about how Xue Yan dug his belly to come up with an idea, but said that since the "Guozijian Debate News" became popular in Chang'an City, some people have taken a fancy to this business opportunity, and even tried every means to find Xue Yan in person by pleading for mercy. on his head, wanting to spend money to make a publicity on it——

The first person who came to see Xue Yan was the most prestigious Huizhou ink studio in Beijing. As we all know, the most outstanding brush, ink, paper and inkstone is the Duan inkstone, Hui ink, Xuan paper and lake brush... Although the Huizhou ink studio only occupies the Huizhou character, it is actually fast. The things reproduced in the book have included the essence of these pens, inks, papers and inkstones.It's just because the owner of this ink studio is from Huizhou, so it's named after it.

And because the pens and inks of this ink shop are genuine, the price is fair, and the price is fair, so it is quite popular among the students in Beijing middle school, and they often come here to buy what they need.

But its daily sales are nothing more than that.After all, things like pens, inks, papers and inkstones are really common things that scholars need.Your family has good ones, and my family has good ones too, but there are too many and too few.As for the price, at best it is cheap.After all, where the quality of things is, no matter how cheap it is, it will not be so cheap.

This situation is similar to the situation faced by the convenience stores in Shiman Street.

However, after the "Guozijian Debate News" became overwhelming overnight, causing "Chang'an paper to be expensive", the young owner of Huizhou Mozhai was keenly aware of the business opportunities, so he asked the backer behind him, hoping that the backer would be able to do so. Say something to Xue Yan.

It wasn't until this time that Xue Yan knew that the backer behind Huizhou Mozhai was the late Empress Dowager—the current mother of His Majesty—the younger brother of the Empress Xiaoci, An Guogong Du Changde.

As for Xue Yan's proposal from the young owner of Huizhou Mozhai that he could spend a lot of money to set aside a small space on the page of "Guozijian Debating News" to promote his own Mozhai—there is a feeling that he saw the same The illusion of the traveler.

However, it turns out that the illusion is indeed an illusion, but the wisdom of the ancients is beyond doubt.Who said that indigenous people cannot be keenly aware of business opportunities.Back in the day, when Lu Buwei was able to live with rare goods, Fan Li dissipated his wealth, and how many big merchants talked and laughed to influence the government of a country... It’s too much to say, but these merchants in Dachu were not given for nothing.

As a crew prop master who graduated from the history department, especially with a little nerd, Xue Yan is actually not very good at bargaining and business negotiation, but fortunately, Xue Yan has a valuable status-after all, he is Weiguo The only son of Gong and Princess Pingyang, and Jian was deeply trusted by two generations of emperors in the emperor's heart.The most important thing is that the young owner of Huizhou Mozhai was the first person to come into contact with Xue Yan. In fact, besides wanting to open up the sales of his own Mozhai in the debate newspaper, he also had plans to make friends with Xue Yan.

So the next negotiation process will be easier.One didn't care much, and the other didn't dare to take advantage of it at all, so the first extra income of "Guozijian Debate News" was quite generous.And Xue Yan reciprocated, and also promised that in the next year, the advertising section of the same industry will only be reserved for Huizhou Mozhai——

Speaking of this, Xue Yan had to explain to the young owner of Huizhou Mozhai what an advertisement is, which attracted a lot of compliments from the young owner.

And after the young owner left, and after the "Guozijian Debate News" was published the next day, merchants from all walks of life in Chang'an City saw the actual effect of this advertisement, and they gritted their teeth, secretly hating that their brains were not bright enough. It turned out that the boy named Huizhou Mozhai took the lead, and flocked to the Imperial College and the Duke of Wei's mansion.

Fortunately, after Xue Yan sent away the young master of Huizhou Mozhai, he had already anticipated the enemy.Immediately after pushing the matter to several classmates of the Imperial College and the chief steward of Duke Wei's mansion, he ran to Xingqing Palace to pay his respects to the Supreme Emperor.

By the way, chatting with the Supreme Emperor, I came up with it after thinking hard for a long time, it is definitely a good idea to sing praises and brazenly——