Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 412 A change that has not happened in a thousand years!

On February , the dragon looked up.

After a long winter, the weather finally cleared up.

The sun is shining brightly, making people feel warm.

Kyoto Avenue.

However, there were quite a few scholars gathered there.

A few days ago, some news spread on the streets of Kyoto Avenue that a "weekly newspaper" would be published every other week to comment on current court policies, and the authors of the articles would mostly be Hanlin scholars and even some court ministers.

As soon as the news came out, it instantly caused a stir in the city.

Many scholars and literati were interested, and after various inquiries, it was indeed confirmed, which made many literati completely excited. As a literati, who doesn't like to point out the country and write passionate words? Who doesn't want to know more about the court's policies?
Not to mention that this is the latest policy of the court, even if it is just a glimpse of the direction of the court's governance, it will be of great benefit to many scholars.

So it was just daybreak.

Kyoto Avenue became lively again.

Scholars dressed in Confucian clothes could be seen in the streets from time to time, standing in groups of two or three, waiting for a newly opened "newspaper office". These scholars were dressed quite simply, while some of those from wealthy families had already gone to nearby inns, restaurants, and teahouses, and had attendants waiting for them outside the stores.

In a quiet window-side restaurant, several well-dressed young men were leaning against the window, looking up at the store below.

Zhu Zhi glanced at the dark crowd below and said in amazement: "Brother Gui, it's too lively now. I heard people say that this street used to be a shabby street, but now it seems to be better than some places in the palace."

Zhu Gui smiled mysteriously and said, "The past is the past, and the present is the present. Xia Zhibai didn't live here before, did he? This time we came here to check on the 'new paper' according to the order of the eldest brother. You guys should not run around. If the eldest brother knows, he will never let us leave the palace again."

Zhu Zhi and Zhu Tan showed a hint of fear on their faces. They were also somewhat afraid of this eldest brother. Although Zhu Biao was usually easy to talk to, he was the eldest brother after all. They were still a little intimidated by him deep down. Especially since Zhu Biao controlled their right to enter and leave the palace. It was not easy for them to leave the palace once, and it would be too boring if they could never leave again.

Several people shrank their necks and shook their heads quickly.

Zhu Gui laughed and said, "There's no need to be so nervous. We have reserved the third floor of this restaurant. We can see everything happening downstairs from up there. After the clerks around have recorded everything, I'll take you around the city."

"Really?" Zhu Zhi was surprised.

Zhu Gui pretended to be upset and said, "Would I lie to you?"

"Let me tell you, the outside of the palace is much more interesting than the inside. The Qinhuai River is lined with willow trees, and you can enjoy singing while boating. There are also many delicious foods outside the palace, some of which taste better than those in the palace, and there are also many fun things."

Zhu Gui is only thirteen years old now, at the age when he is playful and active, and he cannot hide anything at all.

He told everything he knew about what was happening outside the palace.

As he spoke, a silly smile appeared on his face.

Zhu Gui's words aroused great interest in Zhu Zhi and others. Their eyes lit up. The people who were originally lying on the windowsill and looking down suddenly felt that it was not so interesting. They hoped that the newspaper would come out earlier so that they could go out and have fun.

As for letting the clerks stay here, they ran away secretly.

They are not that bold yet.

If the eldest brother knew about this, he would be punished. If the father knew about this, he would definitely give them a beating. They were so scared of the father that they dared not breathe when they saw him. They were even more trembling when he checked their studies. Zhu Tan was not very interested in these things.

He still leaned on the windowsill, looking at the lively crowd below, and asked curiously: "Brother Gui, what on earth is this newspaper? Why does it attract so many people to read it, and even my brother pays so much attention to it?"

Zhu Gui regained his composure, glanced down, and said with a curled lip, "What else can it be? Isn't it just writing about what happened in the palace for the people to see, so that the people can see what the court has done recently and what it is going to do, what the court's intention is in issuing these decrees, and what impact they have. Anyway, that's about it. I didn't get the newspaper, I just listened to a few words from the Hanlin scholar who taught me."

Zhu Gui did not keep anything to himself and told everything he knew.

Zhu Tan's eyes moved.

Zhu Tan moved his little head and became more curious about Xia Zhibai, the "Hanlin scholar". He had heard too much news about this person in the past two years. This person not only often made his father angry, but also made his eldest brother angry. As a result, his eldest brother respected this person very much.

But what he was more curious about was how Xia Zhibai came up with these things.

There were many literati and scholars waiting together with Zhu Gui, Zhu Tan and others. However, as soon as the hour of Si arrived, the newly renovated "newspaper office" took down its door panels, and the already crowded streets became bustling again.

The newspaper office is open.

After a brief introduction, the price of the newspaper was quoted.

The price is on the expensive side.

A copy of the newspaper costs as much as ten cents.

Not many of the literati and scholars present were able to buy a copy with their own money, and this became a point of showing off for many scholars. From time to time, some scholars would shout excitedly, "Give me one," "Let me buy first," and so on.

There was a lively scene all around.

As newspapers continued to sell, fewer people gathered at the store entrance.

Many people gathered around the person who had the newspaper, waiting for him to finish reading so that they could borrow it. Some literati went directly to a nearby teahouse, ordered a cup of hot tea and some cakes, and began to study this "newly published" newspaper.

"Year 4084 of the Yellow Emperor's calendar."

Seeing this unfamiliar chronology, many people felt a little dazed.

Also a bit confused.

Isn’t this year the 20th year of Hongwu?

How come there is a Yellow Emperor's calendar here?
Some scholars looked at each other in bewilderment, hesitated for a long time, and then continued to read on. The content behind returned to normal and began to become the "Policy Analysis" they wanted to see, which also roughly mentioned some promulgated policies.

But the vast majority of the content is about "integrating the world and bridging the north and the south", as well as some things related to the military.

There is little that really interests them.

However, when they saw the last article, their pupils couldn't help but shrink. Their originally disappointed eyes suddenly became clear, and their whole bodies became refreshed. This article was not written by anyone else, but Xia Zhibai.

The article is titled: "A Change Unseen in a Thousand Years"!!!
(End of this chapter)