coobybook Chapter 203 Hanshan Weekly
Chapter 203 Hanshan Weekly
Chapter 203 Hanshan Weekly
Xu Yingjie took a sip of tea and picked up the Hanshan Weekly to read.
The first article was written by Wang Wenzhou and titled: "Capital Beyond Ability is Zero."
My name is Wang Wenzhou, and I am the magistrate of Hanshan County. Some people always think that because I am from a noble family, I have powerful backing no matter what I do. Therefore, it is easy for me to do anything, even become an official and serve as a magistrate. Others have to study hard for ten years, pass the imperial examination, and become a Jinshi before they can be appointed as a magistrate.
What I really want to say is that you've misunderstood, you're truly wrong. Although I never participated in the imperial examinations, the Imperial Academy (Guozijian) I studied at was the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty. Yes! I admit that being able to study at the Imperial Academy was a favor granted by the Emperor. During those years at the Imperial Academy, I never slacked off for a single day. I always worked diligently; while I couldn't go to extremes like hanging my head from the rafters or pricking my thigh with an awl, I still woke up at dawn and went to bed late, just to seize every moment and read as many books as possible.
"Pfft..." Upon seeing this, Xu Yingjie spat out a mouthful of tea. "You shameless idiot! You study? If you knew anything about studying, your handwriting wouldn't be worse than a three-year-old's. Even if you really did study at night, given your nature, you'd be reading 'Jin Ping Mei' or 'The Carnal Prayer Mat'."
Xu Yingjie wiped the tea off the book and continued reading.
Recently, someone wrote a book titled "The Corrupt Official Wang Wenzhou," slandering me. The innocent are innocent, and the guilty are guilty; I originally didn't want to offer much explanation. However, I've heard that many people have fought to the death with those who slander me to protect my reputation, which deeply moves me. Therefore, I offer the following explanation.
First, let me disclose my assets. Since taking office, my monthly salary has been seven and a half shi of grain, and I have never taken a single extra grain.
To say something the common people might not believe, I have no personal property. I am a complete spendthrift. This is truly the truth; my food, clothing, and shelter are all subsidized by my wives and concubines.
As you all may know, my concubine Zhang Jiao's grandfather runs the No Return Pavilion. My daily meals are indeed prepared by this restaurant, but they all originate from the No Return Pavilion. This is because my concubine Zhang Jiao, out of love for me, orders my meals from her family's restaurant.
I often wear Ting Er Mei clothing. The owner of Ting Er Mei clothing is Sheng Lei, the brother of my concubine Sheng Lan. My brother-in-law gave me a few pieces of clothing; how could I possibly throw them away?
"Shameless!" Xu Yingjie picked up the teacup and smashed it on the ground, cursing, "Silly Xiao Wu, silly Xiao Wu, your mouth is really something now, you can even make black seem white!"
"I'm not reading it anymore!" Xu Yingjie threw the "Hanshan Weekly" on the ground. This so-called weekly was clearly just Sha Xiaowu trying to glorify himself. It seemed that if he wanted to ruin Sha Xiaowu's reputation, he would have to think of a new way.
Wang Wenzhou originally planned to publish a newspaper, but a daily newspaper would have to be printed every day, which was an enormous workload in the Ming Dynasty. So he had to turn the newspaper into a weekly publication, though its main content was pretty much what newspapers were in later generations.
The editor-in-chief of Hanshan Weekly is Zhang Rong, Wang Wenzhou's baby.
At this moment, Chief Editor Zhang was kneeling to Wang Wenzhou's left, Zhao Fengmin was kneeling to Wang Wenzhou's right, and Zhang Jiao was kneeling in front of Wang Wenzhou. Wang Wenzhou's three children were taking turns reciting poems.
Wang Wenzhou glanced at the weekly magazine for a while, then gently patted Zhang Rong's head and praised her, "Baby, you're so good. This issue of the weekly magazine is very well done! Keep up the good work in the future."
"Mmm!" Zhang Rong nodded with a blush and a smile.
“Baby, baby, how about your husband rewards you by making love?” Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.
"Husband! Miss hasn't given birth yet. I've been Miss's personal maid since I was little. If I give birth first, how can I face Miss with a clear conscience?" Zhang Rong pouted and said aggrievedly.
Seeing that Zhang Rong was about to cry from grievance, Wang Wenzhou had no choice but to give up. He gently pressed Zhang Rong's head down and said, "Baby, be good, let's continue reciting poems."
Zhang Jiao suddenly looked up and said, "Husband, have sex with me!"
"Jiaojiao is so good!" Wang Wenzhou gently patted Zhang Jiao's head and said softly, "When your husband succeeds in losing weight, he'll definitely make you cry!"
"Mmm!" Zhang Jiao nodded happily.
Wang Wenzhou smiled bitterly. He was so frustrated. He couldn't have sex with the men he wanted, and he couldn't have sex with the men he was able to have sex with. The men who were allowed to have sex with him were incompetent. Why was it so hard to be a man?
Wang Wenzhou reluctantly picked up the weekly magazine, reading it while enjoying the services of his three babies.
In the labor camp, Liu Rushi was also reading the "Hanshan Weekly".
In his article, Wang Wenzhou wrote: "Some people slander me, claiming I am a lecherous official who frequents brothels all day. This is pure slander! Zuihualou has long been bought by me and is no longer a brothel. Moreover, the girls there have all been persuaded by me to leave their profession and are now members of the Hanshan Female Police Team. They work hard every day to protect the people of Hanshan. Do these people have any shame in slandering them like this?"
"Sigh..." Liu Rushi was both amused and exasperated. This guy's mouth was really good at fooling people.
Thinking of her nemesis, Liu Rushi blushed inexplicably. She continued reading, trying not to think about him anymore.
I have indeed married five wives, that's true. Moreover, I intend to marry my beloved Liu Rushi, is that wrong? Which high-ranking official doesn't have several wives and concubines? Is it wrong for me to marry more wives and concubines?
These bastards who spew filth are purely slandering me. There are too many fabricated facts to list them all.
I have already begun investigating who is responsible for this slander. In my opinion, it is either the Tartars from beyond the Great Wall or the rebels from the Northwest. These hostile forces have never given up their desire to destroy our Great Ming!
Seeing this, Liu Rushi's face turned even redder. This rascal, he really knows how to talk nonsense.
Today is the launch day of "Hanshan Weekly". The weekly, priced at 100 coins, sold 1 copies in one day and is still being reprinted.
The people of Hanshan are not short of money now, and thanks to the education they received in labor camps and Hanshan schools, there are always a few literate people in every household.
The weekly magazine is rich in content, including not only political news but also entertainment news, such as introductions to the most popular top courtesans at the Baihua Brothel, the Hanshan Heroes Tournament, and the profiles of the advancing contestants, etc.
The Hanshan Weekly was comprehensive and suitable for all ages. In the Ming Dynasty, when entertainment was scarce, reading the weekly became a form of leisure and entertainment for the people of Hanshan.
……
The Tower of No Return.
Li Mu'en put down the "Hanshan Weekly" in his hand and slammed his hand on the table.
"Snapped!"
All eyes were on Li Mu'en.
Li Mu'en said angrily, "Wang Qingtian is dedicated to serving the people, working from dawn till dusk, even while injured. How dare some despicable person slander Wang Qingtian! I am absolutely furious!"
"Yes! Those spies from hostile forces all deserve to die!"
"That's right, don't let me catch him, if I do, I'll tear him apart alive!"
At a table in the corner, Pan Lin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The book, *The Corrupt Official Wang Wenzhou*, was written by him. That day, Wang Wenzhou had slapped Pan Lin several times in school because of Jiang Xuyang's educational issues.
Pan Lin harbored a deep hatred for Wang Wenzhou from that moment on. Later, Pan Lin met Chen Yingjie, and at Chen Yingjie's urging, he wrote this book. Pan Lin looked at the indignant expressions of all the diners and was very afraid. If Wang Wenzhou found out that it was Pan Lin's doing, he would be in big trouble.