I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 25 Getting to the Root
The next morning, Dong Jiacun sent someone to deliver an invitation, asking Xue Xiang to meet him.

Xue Xiang slapped his forehead, feeling ashamed.

Not to mention, the fifty spirit stones that Dong Jiacun used to purchase the advertising space solved his immediate problem.

He had to remember the favor Dong Jiacun did by smoothing things over with various banks and helping him expand the Yunmeng Times to obtain a large amount of loans.

During the Lunar New Year, he completely forgot to visit the Dong Family Garden.

Xue Xiang asked Liu Mei to select a few gifts and immediately headed to the Dong Family Garden.

The steward of the Dong family greeted him at the door and invited him into the west wing of the warm pavilion.

Dong Jiacun had already brewed the tea. Pointing to the clusters of forsythia blooming brightly outside the window, he said, "These flowers didn't bloom last night, but as soon as they did today, I knew it was time to invite my young friend over."

Xue Xiang cupped his hands and said, "It was my presumption. I was so busy with other matters that I forgot to come and wish Elder Dong a Happy New Year. I am so sorry."

Dong Jiacun waved his hand and said, "You are a newly appointed benefactor, and the festivities at the end of the year are inevitable."

By the way, how is the Yunmeng Times doing lately?
I heard you borrowed three hundred spirit stones and are currently recruiting more reporters, increasing page space, expanding your printing cooperation, and even extending your reach to cities like Yong'an, Huacheng, and Anlu. Quite a big operation indeed.

Xue Xiang smiled and said, "Back then, I promised to help Elder Dong expand Jiahe's reputation throughout the entire Canaan County, and I must keep my word."

Xue Xiang underestimated the popularity and impact of a popular, action-packed novel like "The Mortal World," which fits the current cultivation system and is a classic example of a legendary tale.

The Yunmeng Times is still in high demand. As soon as it comes out, it's snatched up. He has never seen the Yunmeng Times on stalls or in garbage dumps.

Given the rare opportunity, Xue Xiang naturally wanted to seize it and expand his influence to the surrounding areas.

"In short, young friend, your talent is truly rare. I am also a fan of 'The Mortal World,' and I can't imagine what ingenuity it takes to write such a work. Young friend, could you grant me a request?"

"Please speak freely, Elder Dong."

"I want to see Jiangnan in person."

"Haha, Elder Dong is already meeting with Xiang Jian Jiangnan."

"Young friend, are you saying that you just want to see Jiangnan?"

"That's all."

"Young friend, you are joking. 'The Mortal World' is not only about bloody battles, but also about the ways of the world, human nature, and life experiences. Unless you have read thousands of books and traveled thousands of miles, it would be extremely difficult to produce such a wonderful book."

"I knew I couldn't hide it from Elder Dong. I'll go and inform someone right away."

Xue Xiang was unwilling to explain, but Dong Jiacun was willing to see the Jiangnan he longed for, so he invited him.

Half an hour later, Feng Bai arrived.

Upon meeting Jiangnan, who was exactly as he had hoped, Dong Jiacun was delighted, and the host and guest were both very happy.

On the way back, Feng Bai said in a low voice, "Master, there's something I don't understand."

"Why?"

"Mr. Dong is not like our book fans."

"He seemed to ask a lot of questions about the plot, but he didn't really get to the point. When I got excited, his eyes went blank and he just gave perfunctory responses. After all these years of storytelling, I can tell at a glance what the audience's true reaction is."

Xue Xiang paused for a moment, then instructed, "Don't tell anyone about this. Just continue as before."

No matter who asks you if you want to see Jiangnan, you neither admit nor deny it.

"Understood, I will only listen to the boss."

Feng Bai knew perfectly well who he was working for to make a living.

Xue Xiang then inquired about the remaining manuscripts and learned that they could last for another ten days or so, which put his mind at ease.

As soon as Xue Xiang and the other man left, a handsome young man emerged from behind the heavy curtain; it was Li Shaobai.

"Lord Li, for your sake, my lifelong reputation has been completely ruined."

Dong Jiacun looked dejected.

Li Shaobai chuckled and said, "I had no choice but to do it. Who told this guy to hide his desire to see Jiangnan so well?"

To be honest, the Canaan Morning Post has also started serializing similar folk tales and legends, and has even hired more than a dozen writers.

Yet none of them could capture the essence of "The Mortal World."

"So, you want to use me to find out who wants to see Jiangnan and then poach him?"

Dong Jiacun said coldly, "This is the only time I've repaid the favor I owe you."

Li Shaobai laughed heartily, "It's all paid off, it's all paid off, Lao Dong, don't be angry."

In the future, there will be many benefits for you.

As for Xue Xiang and the Yunmeng Times, I'm not trying to poach them, I'm trying to dig them out from the root.

The seventh day of the month, the day the government offices open at Jiufen Mountain.

Xue Xiang arrived at the public housing early in the morning. As soon as he sat down, his roommate, Song Kui, announced that a meeting was to be held.

Xue Xiang thought it was the annual meeting of the third office, but he was shocked as soon as he entered the venue.

Besides Song Kui, Su Suiran was also present, but Xie Haiya was conspicuously absent.

On the fifth day, Xue Xiang went to Xie Haiya's official residence. The official replied that Xie Haiya had returned to Yunmeng, but had gone out to visit other guests.

Su Suiran came to today's meeting, but Xie Haiya did not, which made him feel uneasy.

What's even stranger is that Su Suiran was not seated in the main or secondary seat. The two seats were occupied by an old man with a white beard and a middle-aged man in a coarse robe.

Besides them, Li Shaobai was also present.

Song Kui stood up, first introducing Xue Xiang's identity to everyone, and then introducing everyone else to Xue Xiang.

The white-bearded old man, whose full name was Guo Xiong, was the head of the Second Academy.

The middle-aged man in the hemp robe, whose full name was Chen Sheng, was the head of the Fourth Court.

The Second Court was in charge of system organization and management, while the Fourth Court was in charge of sacrifices, agriculture, and the issuance of various proclamations.

As this group of people huddled together, Xue Xiang vaguely guessed what was going on.

After Song Kui finished his introduction, he sat down, and Guo Xiong began to speak.

Guo Xiong did not give a long speech; he was concise and to the point.

First, Li Shaobai's work relationship was transferred from Canaan Morning Post to Yunmeng City, where he served as the Vice Dean of the Fourth Academy.

Second, the Fourth Academy will establish a supplementary office, headed by Li Shaobai, and will incorporate the Yunmeng Newspaper into the supplementary office.

Third, all staff members of the Yunmeng Newspaper are awaiting selection and inclusion in the official staffing.

After Guo Xiong finished speaking, Chen Sheng also made three points.

First, the forty spirit stones that Xue Xiang invested in the early stages were redeemed by the Yunmeng Newspaper.

Second, Xue Xiang was appointed as an advisor to the Yunmeng Newspaper.

Third, Xue Xiang was rewarded for his merit in establishing the Yunmeng Times, and his merit was recorded in his official records.

After Chen She finished speaking, Su Suiran, representing the Seventh Court, gave a speech. He expressed only one point: he fully supported the resolution.

The meeting ended there; no one asked Xue Xiang for his opinion, nor did anyone care whether he had any.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Li Shaobai and Xue Xiang.

"Xue Xiang, I told you long ago not to cause trouble, especially not in front of me. Do you think just anyone can run a newspaper?"

Li Shaobai stared at Xue Xiang with a beaming smile, "Do you know where your biggest mistake lies? It's that you wanted to monopolize the profits and turn the Yunmeng Times into a people's newspaper."

Wanting to hitch a ride on the government's coattails, they chose to affiliate themselves with the Seventh Academy.

Otherwise, even if I wanted to acquire the Yunmeng Times, it would take some effort.

Xue Xiang remained calm. "It's just a matter of putting in some effort. Will the outcome be any different? Once you've got your eyes on me, it's impossible not to go over there, isn't it?"

"Haha, you're quite clever."

"It's easy to take it, but I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."

Xue Xiang looked sincere.

Li Shaobai laughed again, "Speaking of 'The Mortal World,' there's a line in it that, when performed by Zhang the Blind, is extremely charming. Let me sing it for you."

As he spoke, he slammed his hand on the table, keeping time, "Look ahead, it's pitch black, wait until I catch up and wipe them all out..."

Seeing that Xue Xiang remained expressionless and refused to offer any emotional support, Li Shaobai snorted coldly and left the scene.

Xue Xiang returned to the Plum Blossom Hall, and as soon as he pushed open the side room door, Xie Haiya was already sitting inside.

"He seems to be in good spirits, which is different from what I expected."

Xie Haiya closed a booklet.

"The sword fell from the sky; it was beyond our control, which I can understand."

Although Xue Xiang was unhappy, he knew it wasn't that Xie Haiya wasn't helping, but rather that Li Shaobai had a lot of influence.

After all, this matter has already involved the reorganization of the Canaan Morning Post, and Li Shaobai has been transferred to Yunmeng as a result. This is no longer something that Yunmeng City can resolve.

(End of this chapter)