The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

However... Chen Huai'an felt somewhat puzzled.

Logically speaking, Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang were already considered quite remarkable among extraordinary individuals, at least in this era.

The Tui Bei Tu is no joke.

But when the two of them saw me last time, they didn't seem to notice anything.

Why is this old lady so amazing? She almost revealed his biggest secret in just one sentence.

Chen Huai'an asked doubtfully, "Is this old woman... also a fortune teller? There must be a deeper meaning behind what she's saying, right?"

Feng Zhidai said helplessly, "We don't know the specifics either, but what we can be sure of is that the old lady is not a fortune teller and does not know how to tell fortunes."

"Hmm... how should I put it?" Feng Zhidai thought carefully, choosing his words thoughtfully, "Grandma, it's all about dreaming."

"What you dream about is what you are."

Chen Huai'an: "..."

Okay, now he probably understands a little better.

Like Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, this old woman didn't actually see anything. She probably just dreamed that there were two suns in the sky, one of which fell and the other would never fall.

Then they simply depicted the scene.

Chen Huai'an clicked his tongue, "There are still many talented people in the world."

He thought this old lady was even more formidable than Yuan Li.

"Alright, I'll go back and send a message to my father first. This matter can't be delayed. Sending a message back from Chang'an will take quite a while." Feng Zhidai didn't dare to delay and took his leave.

Chen Huai'an personally saw him off at the door.

After all, he's the brother-in-law who got the benefits, so we should still take him seriously.

However, not long after Feng Zhidai left, Chen Huai'an was preparing to go back and get himself some secret weapons for self-defense.

Unexpectedly, an unexpected person arrived.

"Lord Zheng?"

Chen Huai'an was genuinely surprised. Why would Zheng Yuanzhu suddenly come to find him?

It's important to understand that Zheng Yuanzhu doesn't dislike me, but due to his stance, he doesn't want to have too much contact with me.

Normally, Zheng Yuanzhu would avoid discussing matters concerning himself when he was in court.

In addition, now that his conflict with the powerful families has eased and they have officially started cooperating, everyone is making a fortune. When Zheng Yuanzhu suddenly came to his door, Chen Huai'an felt something was wrong.

When Zheng Yuanzhu saw Chen Huai'an, he sighed, "If I could, I wouldn't want to come looking for you."

"I understand." Chen Huai'an wasn't annoyed by this and said with a smile, "Does Lord Zheng have a problem with me and doesn't like me?"

Zheng Yuanzhu retorted irritably, "It would be a miracle if I liked you!"

"Fine, I won't stoop to your level, old man." Chen Huai'an pursed his lips and gestured for Zheng Yuanzhu to come inside.

Zheng Yuanzhu puffed out his beard and glared, "Who are you calling an old man? Am I that old?"

"Oh right, you're not old, I am, okay?" Chen Huai'an said dismissively. "Hurry up and come in, why are you still standing there?"

"You..." Zheng Yuanzhu was speechless. Compared to Chen Huai'an, he was indeed considered old.

"Fine, I won't argue with you." Zheng Yuanzhu knew he couldn't win a verbal battle against Chen Huai'an, so he didn't continue the argument.

In any case, Chen Huai'an had been the Minister of Revenue for so long that he had long since developed a silver tongue in the court.

He spends all day spouting nonsense at officials who want money.

He would curse people's ancestors for eighteen generations at the drop of a hat, which infuriated many people, yet they couldn't do anything about him.

Zheng Yuanzhu had no desire to experience that feeling.

Upon entering the reception room, the two sat down. Chen Huai'an personally poured tea for Zheng Yuanzhu and inquired, "May I ask what brings you here today, Master Zheng?"

When the matter was brought up, Zheng Yuanzhu became serious: "I've received news that you're going to start reforming the imperial examination system?"

"More or less," Chen Huai'an said casually. "I'm just offering some suggestions. I don't know the specifics of how to reform it myself yet, and besides, I'm not the one primarily driving the reforms."

"If this is the matter you've come for, then Lord Zheng may have come to the wrong person."

Zheng Yuanzhu scoffed lightly, not believing Chen Huai'an's words at all.

While it's unlikely that Chen Huai'an finalized the specific details of the reforms, he certainly set the general outline.

Furthermore, does it matter who implements the new imperial examination system?

Does it matter whether it's Chen Huai'an or not?

It doesn't matter at all!

Most importantly, Chen Huai'an was the mastermind behind everything.

Zheng Yuanzhu said in a deep voice, "We have already agreed to tacitly approve your efforts to reform the imperial examination system, and we will not go back on our word."

"I've come here today to ask you one question."

"Why do you not value papermaking and woodblock printing at all? Your attention is almost entirely focused on wrought iron and refined salt!"

"What's the reason?"

When asking this question, Zheng Yuanzhu stared intently at Chen Huai'an, afraid that he would miss any expression on his face.

The Zheng family had actually suspected something for a long time.

The new papermaking technology is a game-changer compared to the old methods. The cost reduction is beyond just cutting it in half; it's more like cutting off its ankle.

Prices plummeted.

Taking papermaking as an example, its profits may not be as great as those of refined salt, since salt is truly irreplaceable.

However, with the addition of woodblock printing and the unlimited printing of books, the profits are still considerable.

Logically speaking, everyone should attach great importance to this, just like the current prime ministers, who are all constantly focused on papermaking and book printing.

We're just waiting for the full rollout of these technologies for printing books.

But Chen Huai'an and Li Shimin didn't care at all.

It's hard not to overthink this.

Chen Huai'an smiled upon hearing this: "Lord Zheng is joking. As the Minister of Two Ministries, I am already very busy with official duties. Now, there is also the Lingnan region waiting for the repair of the canal transport."

"With Master Zheng overseeing the papermaking process, I feel quite at ease, so I haven't been paying much attention. Is there a problem with that?"

Zheng Yuanzhu gave Chen Huai'an a deep look: "Duke Anguo, if you say it like that, then there's no point."

"We are cooperating with you in good faith. Unlike the Cui family, we are willing to embrace new things and welcome a new era. We are even less willing to fight you to the death."

"Now you want to promote a new imperial examination system? Okay, no problem!"

"But no matter how you change it, there is one most important issue that you can never ignore."

Zheng Yuanzhu said, word by word, "That means the common people simply can't afford to go to school!"

Chen Huai'an calmly took a sip of tea: "And then?"

"Does this even need a 'then'?" Zheng Yuanzhu retorted. "Don't you know how you studied before?"

"How much did your family do to help you? If it weren't for that deceased storyteller, what could your parents and sister have accomplished, no matter how hard they tried?"

"The imperial examination system does have problems and loopholes, and these things can be changed. I also believe you have the ability to change them."

"The reason why my Zheng family, and other families, don't really oppose your reform of the imperial examination system is because we know that no matter how you reform it, no matter how you improve it, those who can't afford it still can't afford it!"

"You can only change minor trends, not major trends!"

"..."