Mo Sang – CH 239

Chapter 239. Extra Chapter for the “Request for Updates” Event

Gu Xi returned to his residence, bathed and washed, slept for over an hour, and then changed into formal casual clothes and headed to Songhe Tower, the largest restaurant in Yuzhang City.

Songhe Tower had been newly decorated.

Gu Xi rode his horse, and when he was about twenty or thirty paces from Songhe Tower, he saw that, led by Governor Luo, with Wen Cheng riding alongside him, and behind them, all the prominent figures of Yuzhang City had arrived, coming out to greet him.

When he was about ten paces from the group, Gu Xi dismounted, bowed slightly, and greeted everyone with a humble smile.

Governor Luo respectfully let Gu Xi in, falling a step behind. Wen Cheng stepped forward, closely following behind Gu Xi, and said with a low voice, “Elder Master Dong has arrived.”

“Hmm?” Gu Xi raised an eyebrow slightly.

“I’ve already had Hanlin Academician Chu summoned, and the other Hanlin scholars have also been summoned,” Wen Cheng said in a low voice, then smiled.

“Is something wrong with him? What is it?” Gu Xi asked softly.

“I do not know yet. He arrived late, just before you. Do not worry about him having something on his mind,” Wen Cheng said with a smile.

If something’s wrong, that’s for the best. He was not afraid they had something on their minds; he was afraid they had nothing at all.

This New Year’s banquet was all about ceremony, and the ceremony was particularly elaborate.

Gu Xi sat alone at the head of the table, with Governor Luo and Wen Cheng on either side, each at a small table. The people of Yuzhang City, following the arrangement made by Governor Luo and his chief advisor, Master Zhang, who had been agonizing over it until their hair stood on end, sat down in order.

Gu Xi raised his glass, first solemnly thanking the Emperor for his grace, then offering New Year’s greetings, and finally thanking everyone present. After three rounds of toasts, Governor Luo and Wen Cheng each offered a toast, and the atmosphere relaxed slightly.

The prominent figures of Yuzhang City sitting at the front rose to offer their toasts first, followed by two or three others, and then it was Master Dong’s turn.

Old Master Dong stood up, but did not pick up his wine cup. He looked at Gu Xi and said, “I have a question for you, Commander.”

Gu Xi gestured for Old Master Dong to speak.

“I heard that Master Wen promised the people of Hongzhou that Jiangnan and Jiangbei would be treated equally.

I just want to ask, in that evening gossip newspaper, they hurled insults at the scholars of Hongzhou. Is this the equal treatment Master Wen promised?”

The restaurant fell silent. Everyone held their breath and looked at Gu Xi.

“Are you referring to the evening gossip newspaper’s commentary on those articles from Tengwang Pavilion? Is this the matter?” Gu Xi asked, frowning.

“Yes.” Old Master Dong’s brows furrowed tightly, his expression serious and solemn.

“The debates and commentaries on articles in the evening gossip newspaper began under the grape trellis, moving beyond trivial matters to discuss poetry and prose. It did not start after Hongzhou was incorporated into the Great Qi.

Regarding academic discussions, I recall the rule was thirty coins for twenty characters. Once the fee was paid, all comments were printed. Is that right?” Gu Xi looked at Wen Cheng.

“Yes, but there are a few minor rules, such as no vulgar language and no treasonous remarks. Aside from that, once the fee was paid, all comments were printed,” Wen Cheng replied with a slight bow and a smile.

“Shunfeng Delivery Shop does not accept comments from people in Hongzhou?” Gu Xi looked at Old Master Dong, frowning as he asked.

“No, not at all.” Old Master Dong’s expression was not very pleasant.

“Then someone in Hongzhou paid and submitted a commentary, but the Gossip Evening Post was not printed?” Gu Xi’s brows furrowed even more, looking incredulous, and he asked again.

“It was printed,” Old Master Dong answered reluctantly.

“Then, sir, do you think there was a lack of equal treatment across all regions?” Gu Xi immediately pressed.

“The rice and grain shops in Hongzhou collapsed overnight,” a slightly plump middle-aged man across from Old Master Dong whispered.

“Why did the rice and grain shops collapse overnight? How come I did not know about this?” Gu Xi frowned, looking at Governor Luo.

“Reporting to Governor Luo, it was due to competition among the merchants.

I heard that the weaving workshops in Hongzhou suddenly intervened in the rice and grain trade, buying silk and rice simultaneously, then acting as intermediaries to sell the rice directly from the farmers to the rice shops.

The farmers are selling their rice for much higher prices than the rice shops originally offered, while the rice shops are buying rice for far lower prices. Therefore, farmers in Hongzhou and rice shops everywhere are bypassing the rice shops and buying and selling directly.

I heard that the rice shop brokers are now opening their own rice shops. I received three licenses in the twelfth month. From what they wrote, their rice shops only assess the quality of the rice, collect a small commission, and the price is negotiated and determined by the rice shop and the farmer. The grain tax is also paid by the buyer and seller themselves. Is that right?” Pacification Commissioner Luo asked with a smile, looking at the slightly plump middle-aged man opposite him.

“Is it the same with the weaving workshops in Jiangbei? Can they just interfere with the rice tax as they please?” the slightly plump middle-aged man said indignantly.

“Is it the same in Jiangbei?” Gu Xi frowned, looking at Governor Luo, and asked.

“Yes, in Jiangbei, not just weaving workshops; anyone from any trade or profession can do it as long as they pay the rice tax according to the rules.

This matter is the same in both Jiangnan and Jiangbei. Because of this rice tax and small brokerage business, Prime Minister Dai even wrote a special article, instructing various prefectures, counties, and brokerage firms, which was printed in the Morning News in the twelfth month.” Governor Luo smiled.

“You heard everything Governor Luo said? Is there any place that is not treated equally? Continue.” Gu Xi looked at the slightly plump middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man pursed his lips tightly, remaining silent.

“Master Wen promised equal treatment for both Jiangnan and Jiangbei. This promise was made by me to Master Wen and Governor Luo.

Gentlemen, if you feel there’s any aspect that is not treated holistically, then speak now, one by one, clearly explaining how things are in Jiangbei and how they are in Jiangnan!

Regarding the scholarly debate in the Gossip Evening Post that this old gentleman mentioned, the article reviews, and the rice and grain shops he just mentioned—how things are in Jiangbei and how they are in our Hongzhou Prefecture—Commander-in-Chief and Governor Luo have both explained. Is that not right?

Please continue speaking freely. Go on, tell me which matter is like that in Jiangbei but like that in Hongzhou. Please speak!” Gu Xi gestured for everyone to speak.

“Was that Meiling Hermit also paid for her reviews?” Old Master Dong asked Gu Xi after a moment of silence.

“No, that Meiling Hermit is the owner of the Tengwang Pavilion and also the owner of Shunfeng Express.

She’s a complete boor. Although she admires scholarship, she has not read much and does not understand poetry or classical allusions. In her opinion, every article hanging in the corridor in front of the Tengwang Pavilion is extremely brilliant.

That admiring review was written by her and then polished; it was truly heartfelt,” Gu Xi answered frankly.

“Master Dong, to be honest, I’ve read every single one of the articles in the Tengwang Pavilion’s connecting corridor.

As the local official, well, I cannot be too biased. The articles from the first few rounds of judging were not very good.”

Pacification Commissioner Luo, seeing Master Dong’s embarrassed expression and Gu Xi’s cold face, quickly changed the subject.

“The recent articles have improved considerably. Speaking of which,” Pacification Commissioner Luo chuckled twice, “I’ve read quite a few of those debates and comments, but they are all about how Hongzhou’s articles are bad, how so-and-so’s articles are bad, how Hongzhou’s scholarship is lacking, and how so-and-so used the wrong allusions. Well,” Pacification Commissioner Luo chuckled again, “Master Dong, you yourself said that this article has the wrong rhyme and the wrong allusions, right?

In our Great Qi, His Majesty has repeatedly instructed that channels of communication must not be blocked. Even the Emperor himself has to patiently listen to the censors. Yet these few articles from Hongzhou cannot be discussed?

That’s unreasonable, is it not?

Let me tell you, it is not just Hongzhou. Back then, Prime Minister Pan wrote an essay on his experiences governing a small county and placed it under the grape trellis for everyone to comment on. Ah, let’s not dwell on that. After reading the comments, Prime Minister Pan sighed, saying he had not thought things through enough. Indeed, in a group of three, there must be one who can teach me.

In my opinion, Hongzhou’s reputation has been lost because of these articles. The only way to salvage it is through writing, is that not right?

We cannot just forbid people from commenting on our poor writing, can we?

Besides,” Governor Luo chuckled dryly, “there’s no way to stop people from commenting.”

“Where is Chu Chengye?” Gu Xi glanced sideways at Old Master Dong and asked loudly.

“This humble official is here.” Hanlin Academician Chu hurriedly stepped forward.

“Master Dong, the one who repeatedly knocked on your door before the New Year was Chu Chengye, Hanlin Academician Chu.

Chu Chengye, tell me, why did you keep bothering Master Dong? Speak up.” Gu Xi pointed at Master Dong.

“Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief,” Hanlin Academician Chu said with a bitter smile, “My mother is Master Dong’s cousin, from the same grandfather, still within the third degree of kinship.

Knowing that I was in Yuzhang City, my mother wrote several letters, repeatedly urging me to go and see how my uncle, aunt, and cousins ​​were doing.

My mother missed her family dearly, urging me with letter after letter. I really had no choice; I did not mean to bother him.”

Hanlin Academician Chu’s face was as bitter as if it had been pickled in bitter juice; he was truly distressed.

“Master Dong certainly does not know about this relative, Hanlin Academician Chu, does he, sir? Ah?” Governor Luo forced a dry laugh, trying to smooth things over.

Old Master Dong, his face pale, remained silent.

“Hmph!” Gu Xi glanced at him sideways, snorted coldly, stood up, walked to the center, and looked around at everyone.

“Hongzhou returned peacefully to the Great Qi, and you all think I am a benevolent man? How was Xiangfan taken? Outside Xiangyang, the water is still red.

How was Baling taken? Hmm, you are too far from the Yangtze River; you did not see it, its surface obscured by floating corpses.

Now, how dare you consider me a benevolent man?

Treat both south and north of the river as one, and you still think that’s not enough? What more do you want? Do you think it was not I who took Yuzhang City, but Yuzhang City that took me?”

Gu Xi looked at everyone one by one.

The leaders of Yuzhang City, sitting in a circle, lowered their eyes and remained silent.

They had all heard of this general’s reputation; he was ruthless and cruel.

“Gentlemen, you’d better watch yourselves,” Gu Xi said coolly, then strode away.