The two then went to the market again. The market was of course the highlight, and Zhu Su spent the most money there.
After a while, it was noon. Zhu Su was hungry after shopping for a long time and asked for a meal. Seeing that Yunxi had no objection, he casually walked into a restaurant in the market.
Yunxi didn't know which of these restaurants had better food, and he had no opinion on which one he should go to. But he asked, "Uncle Nineteen, why did you go into this restaurant?"
Zhu Su chuckled and said: "It's noon now, and most people in the north don't eat at this time. We just passed by here. I saw that this restaurant is not the most gorgeously decorated, but the people who walked into this restaurant were more beautiful than those who just passed by.
There are more people in the other two restaurants, which means the food in this restaurant is better; or, according to you, the 'cost-effectiveness' is better. So I walked into this restaurant."
Yunxi's mind just now was not on this at all. He didn't expect that Zhu Su was even observing the place where he was eating in advance. He didn't know what to say.
Zhu Su, however, walked directly into the restaurant regardless of what he wanted to say, and Yunxi had no choice but to follow.
This restaurant is indeed not the most gorgeously decorated, especially it does not even have separate private rooms. It is just that some areas are separated by screens and other objects on the second floor, as if there are private rooms. Naturally, the lobby on the first floor is all together.
.
Naturally, Yunxi and the others were seated on the second floor. When Yunxi came up and saw that it was a separate space, not an independent box, he was not happy: What if they had something to say and accidentally revealed their identity, let others listen.
It would be bad if he went up. But since he had already come up, Zhu Su didn't care, so he could only do this. However, Yunxi asked everyone to be careful when speaking.
There were few people eating at noon, and soon the dishes they ordered were served. Zhu Su didn’t care about anything else, he took a bite of the dish and put it into his mouth, and then said: "Look, let me tell you, the food here is made
Not bad, no worse than the northern cuisine cooked by the chef at home."
Yunxi also took a bite and thought it was really good. He ate quickly without talking to Zhu Su. Zhu Su didn't have time to talk to him, so he also ate with relish. In the end, these dishes were not enough, so he ordered again.
Two is enough.
After drinking and eating, Zhu Su patted Liu'er's round belly and said, "It seems that in the future, we will eat more in common people's places. These cooks are no worse than those at home." Yunxi also nodded in agreement.
As the foodie uncle and nephew were talking, someone came into the place next door. Yunxi didn't care at first, and just whispered to the guards to pay attention. But he suddenly heard someone next door say: "I, Luo Ben, don't like to ask for help, but I don't like asking for help.
I beg you for this."
Luo Ben? The Luo Guanzhong (Luo Ben, also known as Guanzhong) who wrote "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms"? Yunxi wondered: Is it that person? If so, why is he here? He suddenly paid close attention and heard the voices next door.
Come.
Just listen to another person with a Hangzhou accent say: "Guanzhong, it's not that I won't help you. If you are short of money, I will give it to you. But you want Shi Yanduan and your Hua Ben
Publishing, I can’t do that.”
"In business, now that the Ming Dynasty has just been established, the population is sparse and there are even fewer literate people. Your "Popular Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and Shi Yanduan's "Water Margin" are indeed good books, but they won't sell much if they are printed now. I'm sure
It's a loss of money, and I won't do a business that loses money."
Hearing this, Yunxi was sure: It was Luo Guanzhong! Shi Yanduan should be referring to Shi Naian. Yunxi had no doubts anymore. Listening to Luo Guanzhong's nagging to get the person to agree to publish, Yunxi just pushed the screen and arrived at his house.
In the cubicle, he said: "Is this Luo Guanzhong who wrote "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms"? He is not willing to help you publish it, so I will pay to help you publish it."
Luo Guanzhong was trying to persuade him when suddenly the screen next to him moved. He dodged with great skill to avoid being hit by the screen. Just as he was about to scold him, he heard Yunxi's words. He immediately changed his tone and said, "Do you take your words seriously?"
Yunxi said: "Why isn't it true?"
At this time, the person next to him with a Hangzhou accent said: "Brother Guanzhong, since someone is willing to sponsor your publication, then I will leave. If you have anything to say, talk to me." As he said this, the man had a look of 'finally relieved' on his face.
Then he went out.
Luo Guanzhong casually said: "See you later", and then said to Yunxi: "Who is this dear friend? Why are you willing to sponsor me to publish a book? And where did you know about my book?"
Yunxi retreated to his cubicle and said: "Luo," he looked at him and saw that Luo Guanzhong was already over fifty. It was not appropriate to call him brother, so he continued: "Mr. Luo, you should come over and talk like this.
not very convenient."
Luo Guanzhong also felt that this was not good, so he stepped over, pushed the screen back to its original position, and then sat down on the seat given by a guard.
After Luo Guanzhong sat down, he first bowed to the people around him, and Zhu Su waited in return. Then he said to Yunxi: "Who are you? Why are you willing to sponsor my book?"
Yunxi asked: "Why are you in Shandong?"
Luo Guanzhong did not dare to offend his big benefactor, so he explained: "My little brother has seen my book in the south. I am originally from Dongping, which is Dongping Prefecture under Yanzhou Prefecture. Because Hangzhou is a gathering place for Southeast Asian people, so
I have lived in Hangzhou for decades; I have grown older in the past two years, and I may die one day. I thought about returning to my roots after the leaves fall, so I returned to my hometown."
"I thought that Yanzhou City is a big city in Shandong, and there are many travelers coming from north to south. Maybe someone would be willing to publish my book, so I came to Yanzhou City to try my luck."
Yunxi said: "Then let me introduce myself. I am the bodyguard accompanying His Highness the Emperor Taisun. My surname is Sun. Of course my family is from the capital. I once read the book "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" at the book market in the capital and thought it was well written.
Very good; I just heard you talk about "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" today, and I found out that you are the author of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". I am willing to pay to publish this book for you, but there is a condition."
Luo Guanzhong looked excited again and said: "What are the conditions?"
Yunxi asked: "Why do you write Liu Bei and others so good, and Wei Wu so bad?"
Luo Guanzhong said: "Marquis Wu is a model for our generation of literati, so naturally he needs a big book. Originally, because there are many miscellaneous notes about Guan Yu recorded in the past dynasties, he was lustful and arrogant, so I wanted to write about Guan Yu in a bad light; but as I was writing
"One night, while I was sleeping soundly, I suddenly dreamed of Guan Yu. Guan Yu begged me to write about him better. After I woke up, I felt a chill in the back of my head and was scared in my heart, so I wrote about Guan Yu better."
"Since Wuhou and Guan Yu are both good people, naturally Liu Bei, who they follow, must also be a good person. When writing a story, there must always be a confrontation between good and evil, so we can only condescend to Cao Wei and Wu."
Yunxi understood that because Zhuge Liang was invited by Liu Bei to visit the thatched cottage three times, literati in the past dynasties envied Zhuge Liang. Naturally, Zhuge Liang was a positive figure; as for the subsequent matters about Guan Yu, Yunxi had seen this short story in a book in later generations, but he didn't
I thought it was true.
However, Yunxi said: "Did you know that today the emperor's grandson respects Wei Wu and belittles Liu Bei? The emperor's grandson also knows about your book and wanted to send someone to Hangzhou to get you!"
Luo Guanzhong was shocked: "Is this true?"
Yun He held back his laughter and said, "How come it's not true?"
Luo Guanzhong murmured to himself: "This time it's broken, this time it's broken."
Yunxi continued: "But His Highness cherishes your writing style and once said: 'As long as the author is willing to rewrite it as Zun Cao and demote Liu, he can be published.'"
Luo Guanzhong said in surprise: "His Highness did you say that? That's great, but it needs to be rewritten." He was struggling fiercely in his heart, and it could be seen from his expression.
After a long while, I heard Luo Guanzhong say: "I am willing to rewrite it, but there is one condition."
"Tell me and listen." Yunxi said.
"It is necessary to publish "Water Margin" at the same time."
Yunxi thought that although there were some taboo words in "Water Margin", it was still "the emperor's sage" in general, and they were all treacherous ministers who harmed the country; and Yunxi could not guarantee that even if he killed Luo Guanzhong here, he would be able to stop the spread of "Water Margin".
So he said: "Okay."
Luo Guanzhong's expression softened and he said, "Then I am willing to rewrite it."
Yunxi was about to continue when he heard someone laughing. When Yunxi looked back, he saw that it was Zhu Su who was laughing. Yunxi winked at him to stop his laughter, and then said: "Maybe your highness will read your rewrite."
If you write a book, I will reward you with an official position."
Yunxi thought that Luo Guanzhong would be happy, but he didn't expect that he would say sadly: "As long as the book can be published, that will be enough for my life. I dare not ask for anything else."
Yunxi was puzzled. At this time, Zhu Su came up and said: "If I remember correctly, this Luo Ben once assisted Zhang Shicheng. Although he was not under Zhang Shicheng for a long time, Your Majesty does not allow them who have been under Zhang Shicheng and have not taken refuge in me."
In the court, those who disperse on their own will be officials."
Yunxi suddenly understood. But this is not a big deal to Yunxi. Just let him change his name and place of birth. With so many things going on all day long, how could Lao Zhu pay attention to a little Luo Guanzhong. And since he had been in
Being an official with Zhang Shicheng shows that he still has ambitions for fame and is easier to accommodate. However, it is not easy to discuss this matter with Luo Guanzhong now.
Yunxi said: "Even if you can't become an official, His Highness is happy and rewards you with some money, which will be enough for you to have food and clothing. I see from your clothes that your life is not rich."
Luo Guanzhong also regained his energy and said: "I don't care about money or anything, as long as the book can be published. If there is nothing else to say, little brother, then I will go back and revise the book."
Yunxi thought for a while and said, "I have nothing else to say today. Oh, here are thirty guan notes, which can be used as advance payment." He handed over the treasure notes.
Luo Guanzhong took the money, took out a piece of paper, wrote a line of words, handed it to Yunxi and said: "This is my address in Yanzhou, little brother, you can find me here. I'll take my leave first." With that, he bowed and left.
Already.
After Luo Guanzhong left, Yunxi and the others went downstairs to pay the bill and left. On the road, Zhu Su couldn't help but said to Yunxi: "Why did you recruit this person like this? He is just a person who writes bad things. He changed the book.
That’s it, why bother taking it so seriously?”
Yunxi didn't answer. Seeing that Yunxi was silent, Zhu Su had no choice but to follow him back.
The reason why Yunxi valued Luo Guanzhong was not just because of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Luo Guanzhong was a famous opera writer in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. He not only wrote novels, but also wrote many opera scripts and wrote quite a lot.
Opera and novels suitable for storytellers play an important role in Yunxi's future plans, so Yunxi wants to recruit Luo Guanzhong. Even if Luo Guanzhong dies in a few years, he can still play the role of "buying horse bones for a thousand gold" or let Luo Guanzhong
Introducing other operas and scripts.
Yunxi and Zhu Su were speechless all the way back to their residence.