LRAB Chapter 101 only talks about feelings, not reason.
Chapter 101 only talks about feelings, not reason.
Linhua Palace
The Crown Prince slowly walked into the hall, bowed, and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Shun'an raised his eyes and nodded: "Have you seen Wen Zongji?"
The Crown Prince walked to the desk at the lower end of the table and sat down: "I met him, had lunch with him, and then let him go."
Emperor Shun'an raised an eyebrow: "It seems you are quite satisfied with him."
The Crown Prince was personally taught and guided by Emperor Shun'an, so Emperor Shun'an knew at least seven or eight parts of the Crown Prince's temperament, if not ten.
The crown prince was aloof and found it difficult to get close to people. He wouldn't even bother to glance at someone who didn't meet his standards.
As the crown prince, whose position was as secure as could be, he had the confidence to act so recklessly.
Given Wen Zongji's status as the husband of the Princess of Anhe County, it was impossible for the Crown Prince to treat him differently.
The fact that the Crown Prince invited Wen Zongji to have lunch clearly shows that he appreciated him.
The Crown Prince nodded: "He certainly has the ability. When I asked him whether it would be better for the court to establish a new office or add a new office to the Office of Transmission if it were to publish the capital gazette, his answer was the latter."
"It was Wen Zongji's suggestion to start the Beijing Gazette. If I want to run the Beijing Gazette well, I can't leave him behind. He should know this very well."
"After guessing that I would transfer him to assist in the compilation of the Imperial Gazette, he even suggested that I hand the Imperial Gazette over to the Office of Transmission. This person is not only capable, but also intelligent and able to control his ambition and desires."
Emperor Shun'an nodded: "He is indeed a clever man. So what are your plans? To borrow him from the Hanlin Academy?"
The Crown Prince said, "There's no rush. Even if it's just adding a new office to the Court of State Affairs, it won't be something that can be done in a day or two."
I only spoke with Wen Zongji today; it would be too hasty to transfer him out of the Hanlin Academy now.
It seemed as if the Crown Prince could not do without Wen Zongji.
Emperor Shun'an readily agreed: "I have entrusted this matter to you. You can handle it yourself. Also, I will instruct the Ministry of Justice to cooperate with you."
The crown prince cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Father Emperor."
After they finished speaking, the two lowered their heads to work on the memorials, and the hall became quiet again.
……
The Crown Prince's carriage took Wen Zongji back to the Hanlin Academy, where he continued his duties.
Upon seeing him return, Wu Fengyuan approached him and asked, "Brother Wen, how was your experience meeting the Crown Prince?"
Wen Zongji pondered for a moment and said, "Composed and measured, with an inherent air of authority."
Wu Fengyuan immediately revealed an expression of mutual agreement: "That's what I think too. Don't underestimate the Crown Prince just because he's young. When I see him, I don't dare to breathe too loudly, for fear of saying something wrong and disappointing him."
Upon hearing this, Lu Nian'an had a different opinion: "I think the Crown Prince is quite approachable."
Wu Fengyuan looked at him: "It shows that the Crown Prince treats you differently. Brother Wen, we are in the same boat."
Lu Nian'an: "...Brother Wu, you've probably forgotten who Brother Wen's wife is."
Wu Fengyuan's face stiffened. He returned to his seat and sighed, "It was my fault. I'm the only one who's pitiful."
Wen Zongji chuckled: "The Crown Prince is not one to appoint people based on personal connections. Besides, the county princess is the county princess, and I am me. The Crown Prince will not treat me differently just because I am the county princess."
After exchanging a few jokes, the group went back to their own business.
Ruijintang
Looking at the thirty women in front of him, led by Pei Rujing, Mao Zheng felt like his head was about to explode.
Forcing a smile, she greeted the princess, "Princess, what brings you to Ruijin Hall?"
Pei Rujing said, "Isn't the upcoming Top Ten Storytelling Competition supposed to require thirty female judges? That's what we are. We're here today to ask you about the competition rules and what we're supposed to do."
Upon hearing that this was serious business, Mao Zheng breathed a sigh of relief: "Princess and ladies, what you need to do is actually very simple: read all the storybooks assigned to you and choose the three you think are the best."
Some have questioned: "If a story is exceptionally well-written, but happens to be assigned to a judge who isn't accustomed to this type of story, wouldn't its talent be wasted?"
Mao Zheng explained, "Taking this possibility into account, each storybook will be submitted to three judges for evaluation. As long as one judge selects it, the storybook can move on to the next round."
"Is there another round?"
"Of course. Each judge selects three stories, so a hundred judges can select three hundred. We need to choose the best of the best from these three hundred stories."
If a judge chooses a script that is similar, the number will be less than three hundred.
"Is it still us judges who will be selecting?"
Mao Zheng shook his head: "No, I will invite the owners of several bookstores. They have been running bookstores for many years, and no one knows better than them what kind of stories are more popular. They will then select thirty excellent works."
Zuo Mingxuan questioned, "They say competitors are enemies, how could you convince other bookstore owners to be judges in the second round?"
Mao Zheng said, "Of course I wouldn't go to those big bookstores. I only go to small bookstores, barely managing to establish myself in the capital. Ruijintang is owned by the Marquis's Mansion and the County Princess. As long as they are willing to help, they can be on good terms with Ruijintang. Besides, I promised that as many of the final ten best stories are willing to be sold at Ruijintang, they will be sold at their bookstore."
"They would naturally not refuse if they could be on good terms with Ruijintang and also gain benefits."
Pei Rujing listened with satisfaction: "Excellent. With me, the county princess, here, who dares to disrespect us?"
Zuo Mingxuan glanced at her, not knowing what to say.
Mao Zheng quickly flattered her, "Your Highness is right. Knowing that Ruijintang had Your Highness as a backer, they agreed even before I had promised any benefits."
Pei Rujing was even more satisfied: "They're all people who know how to adapt to the times, very good!"
Zuo Mingxuan: "...Isn't your competition called the Top Ten Storybooks? The second round has selected thirty books, which is quite a lot."
Only Pei Rujing believed such obviously deceptive words; Zuo Mingxuan didn't want to listen anymore.
Mao Zheng said, "In the final round, I will personally select the top ten stories and then report them to the employer. Once the employer approves, the list of the top ten stories will be announced."
Zuo Mingxuan suddenly realized that the final list of the top ten storybooks was still in the hands of Ruijintang.
"The authors who have signed contracts with your Ruijintang will probably also participate in the competition, right? With you in charge of the final selection, aren't you afraid that the participating authors will accuse you of favoritism?"
Mao Zheng smiled slightly: "If they have any doubts, they can come to Ruijintang and buy a copy of the top ten storybooks to see if we've shown any favoritism!"
Zuo Mingxuan was speechless for a moment: "Who came up with such a wicked idea?"
Not only did they try to use the public opinion generated by the competition to expand their fame, but they even schemed against the participating authors.
That's really mean!
Upon hearing this, Mao Zheng glanced at Pei Rujing, then lowered his eyes slightly and didn't dare to speak.
Zuo Mingxuan instantly realized: "Princess, your husband is quite cunning."
Pei Rujing didn't care about any of that: "If they can't understand, they deserve to be schemed against."
The county magistrate has always been protective of her own!
They only care about feelings, not reason!