The sun was setting and the streets were filled with vendors packing up their stalls. Le Jing also came back from get off work at the library and took a rickshaw home with Li Shuran.

As soon as he knocked on the door, he saw the doorman Zhou Da, who looked relieved: "Master, you are finally back. A gentleman who claims to be the editor-in-chief of the Peking Fiction Newspaper has been waiting for you in the house for the whole afternoon!"

Le Jing just sent out the manuscript yesterday, and today the editor-in-chief of "Peking Fiction Newspaper" came to visit him. It seems that their newspaper is very satisfied with his manuscript.

When Le Jing walked into the front hall, he saw a middle-aged scholar with a white face and beard sitting on a chair bored. When he saw Le Jing, he stood up in surprise at first, but when he saw Le Jing's face clearly, the surprise turned into disappointment. However, he still politely bowed to Le Jing and said, "I am the editor-in-chief of the Peking Fiction Newspaper. This time I am here to meet Mr. Lin Zhongqi who submitted an article to our newspaper yesterday. I wonder who you are to Mr. Lin Zhongqi. Can you introduce him to me?"

After being left here for an entire afternoon, the editor-in-chief did not show any anger at all. Either the editor-in-chief was very well-mannered, or he was particularly satisfied with Le Jing's manuscript. Judging from what the editor-in-chief said, the latter was more likely.

Is it just that his age seems so deceptive? First it was Yang Jinglun, then this editor-in-chief, both of them tacitly did not regard Le Jing as the real author.

Le Jing replied: "I am Lin Zhongqi. What do you want from me?" Le Jing's birthday is June 7th. Lin Zhong is another name for June, so Lin Zhongqi got his name from this.

Zhang Xiguan was older than Yang Jinglun after all, so he was not as surprised as Yang Jinglun. However, his subsequent ecstasy was as warm and sincere as Yang Jinglun's that day. He stroked his beard, smiled and shook his head, saying: "Heroes are born young. I didn't expect that I could also make mistakes sometimes."

Le Jing also smiled and said, "It's because I'm too young. It's normal for you to misunderstand me before. If you have anything to say, please sit down and we can talk in detail." After that, he glanced at the bare table beside the editor-in-chief, bowed his hands and apologized, "I like quietness, so there is no one to serve me at home. I'm afraid I'm being rude to you. I just bought two taels of the best Biluochun the day before yesterday, and now it's a good opportunity for you to taste it."

Even though Zhang Xiguan still had a little anger in his heart, he felt indescribably relieved after hearing what Le Jing said. He was also a tea lover, and if it was normal, he would definitely taste it carefully. However, at this moment, his heart was like a cat's claws, and he was eager to know the subsequent plot development of "Dynasty Rise", so he stopped Le Jing from getting up and said embarrassedly: "To be honest, after reading your manuscript this morning, I lost my appetite and was eager to know the subsequent plot development, so I rashly came to visit you."

Le Jing suddenly realized that the landlord's surplus food was not much! After Le Jing told the editor-in-chief that he only had more than 20,000 manuscripts, he looked obviously disappointed, but he still read Le Jing's next manuscript eagerly.

Twenty thousand words are not a lot, so Zhang Xiguan read it with great care, holding each word in his mouth for a long time. When he finished reading the last word, he suddenly raised his head, looked at Le Jing with fiery eyes, and asked a series of questions like a machine gun: "Is this story just Xu Wangmu's Nan Ke dream? Is that Dahua another Huai'an Kingdom? What will Xu Wangmu do next? He can't hold out for long if he leads the people to catch locusts to eat!"

Since ancient times, severe droughts have been associated with locust plagues. An ancient book says that "extreme droughts lead to locust plagues", so the village where Xu Wangmu stayed naturally suffered a severe locust plague, and the farmland, which had already suffered poor harvests due to drought, suffered a devastating disaster. In addition, the people were ignorant and not only did they not dare to kill locusts, but instead worshiped the locust god under the guidance of local witches and charlatans, pinning their hopes of stopping the locust plague on an illusory and surreal force.

Xu Wangmu was an atheist and a highly educated university professor, so he naturally scoffed at this. So he planned to use his status as a god to get the people to accept eating locusts and temporarily alleviate the famine.

In response to Zhang Xiguan's question, Le Jing smiled mysteriously: "Keep it a secret. It would be meaningless to tell you the specific plot development now."

No matter how much Zhang Xiguan pleaded, Le Jing was unmoved, so Zhang Xiguan had to give up. Then he told Le Jing about business: "We plan to publish your "The Rise of Dynasties" on the front page tomorrow. As for the manuscript fee, our newspaper will set you three yuan per thousand words. What do you think?"

"Okay, this price is very fair."

For a newcomer like Le Jing who has not yet gained much fame, this price is already very high. You have to know that Le Jing has been serialized in the "Literary Newspaper" for so long that the newspaper raised his manuscript fee to 4 yuan per thousand words! Moreover, "The Rise of Dynasties" is a long novel after all, and it will take at least a million words to complete it. It is much more profitable to write it than "The Rat Eyes Look Down on People".

"Our newspaper's novels are all updated daily, sir, you should save more." Zhang Xiguan said this with some selfish motives. If Le Jing saves more, he can read more, right? And he didn't lie to Le Jing. Their newspaper does mainly publish serial novels daily, at most... at most a few novels are updated weekly!

Le Jing nodded: "Of course, I will give the editor 3,000 words to update every day, but..."

Zhang Xi's heart was suddenly lifted. What? Could it be that he was not satisfied with the price offered by their newspaper? It was not that he could not offer a higher price, but the price was too high at the beginning. How could he raise the price later?

Just as Zhang Xiguan was thinking about this and that with a nervous heart, he saw the young man in front of him smiled shyly: "We have been chatting for so long, but I still haven't asked for your name, sir?"

Zhang Xiguan: ...

Oh no! He was so excited to meet the author that he even forgot to report his name! Such a low-level mistake actually happened to him. If those bastards in the editorial department knew about it, wouldn’t they be so amused?

His face flushed and he quickly told Mr. Lin his name. The two exchanged pleasantries for a while before he left.

※

In the early morning, the brilliant morning sun casts dazzling spots of light on the tall wooden bookshelves. Readers stand or sit with books in their hands. The air is filled with the faint scent of ink. The sound of reading aloud can be faintly heard coming from the teaching building. This is the beginning of an ordinary day in the Kaiming Library.

Le Jing took the newspaper delivered by the postman and put it on the counter, then smiled at another middle-aged man at the counter: "Good morning, Mr. Chu, this is today's newspaper."

Mr. Chu’s full name is Chu Jin. He is an old employee in the library and is Le Jing’s predecessor in terms of seniority.

He has a square face, a very dark complexion, and has the temperament of a headmaster.

Chu Jin didn't even look at Le Jing. He snorted, took out the newspaper he wanted to read and started reading it with relish.

Le Jing shrugged and didn't care.

Mr. Chu had looked at Le Jing in this way since he learned that he dropped out of middle school and only had primary school education. Mr. Chu had never attended a modern school, but had been in a private school since childhood, where he received a complete and comprehensive traditional Chinese education. In the Qing Dynasty, he even had the title of a scholar. In his eyes, Le Jing, who only had primary school education, was just a student, so he never looked down on Le Jing.

Le Jing didn't care what others thought of him, as long as Mr. Chu didn't have any bad intentions towards him, he wouldn't take some sarcasm to heart.

When he took out the tea bag he brought from home and prepared to make himself a cup of tea, he saw Mr. Chu excitedly slapping the table and standing up: "Well said!"

This sentence seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet library. Mr. Chu probably realized this and shut his mouth awkwardly. However, he was very excited in his heart. The people in the library were reading and obviously not suitable people to talk to, so his eyes hesitated for a long time and finally fixed on Le Jing.

Le Jing: ...

Chu Jin waved to Le Jing arrogantly: "Xiao Le, come here, I have something to tell you."

Le Jing sighed in his heart. The heart of this middle-aged man was as unpredictable as a needle in the sea.

"What's up?"

Chu Jin's eyes sparkled as he asked, "Have you read the article 'Rat Eyes Look Down on People' published today?"

Le Jing felt quite awkward when someone talked about his work in front of him, and a hint of confusion appeared on his face, "'Rat Eyes Look Down on People'? What is this? A novel?" So you see, a rough guy like me with only elementary school education has no common topics with you. You should just ignore me like before and let me play by myself.

Unfortunately, Chu Jin did not understand Le Jing's subtext. He opened his eyes wide in disbelief when he heard this answer, as if it was unforgivable that Le Jing had not read "Rat Eyes Look Down on People". "You haven't read it?!" His voice was a little loud, attracting several dissatisfied glances. He quickly lowered his voice and asked, "Then you haven't read "The Fengtian Secret Murder Case" and "Memoirs of a Famous Prostitute"? "

As "The Rat's Eyes Look Down on People" became famous in Peking, the "Fengtian Secret Room Murder Case" which Le Jing had previously published in the Fengtian tabloid under the pen name "Night Watchman" a few days ago was also dug up and discussed again.

There has been quite a stir in the newspapers these days, not because of the content of the article, but because of the platform on which the article was published.

"Fengtian Miscellaneous News", which openly publishes erotic novels to attract audiences, is indeed not a serious newspaper. Those who scolded the Night Watchman believed that the Night Watchman himself was not a decent scholar for publishing articles in such yellow tabloids. He even published articles criticizing current social ills in the "Literature Newspaper" before, pretending to be someone who cares about the country and the people. What a person who steals the world and deceives people!

There are those who criticize the Night Watchman, and of course there are those who support him. The supporters of the Night Watchman believe that no matter how inappropriate the newspaper chosen by the Night Watchman is, it is undeniable that the article is a good article. It is the freedom of the Night Watchman to choose which newspaper to publish his work in, and others have no right to interfere.

Then the group that cursed the Night Watchmen started to attack again, saying that "The Fengtian Secret Chamber Murder Case" was actually inciting people to commit crimes, and that the criminal methods described in detail in the book were tempting readers to kill, which would have a bad impact on society, and that the authorities should ban it.

Then the group that supports the Night Watch said, do you understand what literary creation is? According to what you said, "Water Margin" is encouraging people to rebel? "Romance of the Western Chamber" is encouraging young ladies to elope? Of course, literary works and reality should be separated. Those who confuse the two are all hooligans!

So the two groups of people cursed each other back and forth,

Coupled with the fact that discussions about "Memoirs of a Famous Courtesan" were still raging in the newspapers, the two groups came together and made the name of the Night Watch a regular in the newspapers.

There is heat only when there is debate.

By chance, Le Jing, a fledgling new author, has gained some fame in the cultural circle.

There were even writers who published articles in newspapers praising the Night Watchman and confessed their love for him. Their words were so cheesy and lingering, quite like the style of the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School, and Le Jing got goose bumps after reading them.

What surprised Le Jing was that this senior who was so arrogant was actually his fan.

Le Jing couldn't help but think with some evil interest in his heart, if Chu Jin knew that the night watchman he admired was actually a "rough guy" with only elementary school education whom he always looked down upon, what kind of expression would he have? However, he was just thinking about it, and he didn't plan to reveal his identity for the time being.

Thinking about the heated debate about his articles in the newspapers, Le Jing made an expression of struggling to think and said hesitantly, "I seem to have heard of it? His two novels seem to have a bad reputation in the newspapers?"

Chu Jin immediately blew his beard and glared, "That's all slander! Your article is profound and meaningful, how can those mediocre people understand it! They scolded the Night Watchman's article, but it was just because the Night Watchman's article violated the interests of some people!"

Speaking of this topic, Chu Jin suddenly became like a star-chasing girl, pulling Le Jing aside and starting to complain:

"A few days ago, Mr. Wang described the tragic experiences of prostitutes in "Rat Eyes Look Down on People" and "Memoirs of a Famous Courtesan" and spoke out for women's liberation. This advocacy has touched the interests of some people!"

Chu Jin sneered, his eyebrows and eyes were full of sarcasm: "Prostitutes are big taxpayers and cash cows for some people in the government. Now someone suddenly comes out and says that prostitutes are too miserable and we should liberate prostitutes and abolish prostitution. Isn't this asking for trouble?"

"The biggest mistake Mr. Night Watch made was that he told the truth and opened the boil for everyone to see!"

Le Jing sighed in his heart, Chu Jin saw it clearly.

In order to describe the environment of prostitutes more realistically, Le Jing later communicated with Bai Shaoyao several times. The experiences of the heroine in the novel are all based on the real life of prostitutes. The details are accurate and true, and can stand up to scrutiny.

It’s only because this novel is too real that it has been criticized so badly.

"However...some people's doubts in the newspaper do have some truth."

Chu Jin sighed, "Although everyone knows that a civilized country should not have such tragic existence as prostitutes. But if prostitutes are liberated and prostitution is abolished, what will those women who don't have any skills eat and drink after they stop being prostitutes? Isn't this cutting off their livelihood? It's easy to liberate prostitutes, but how will prostitutes live after liberation and how will they get financial resources? This is the problem. Otherwise, those liberated women will only make money for their bodies again."

Le Jing also fell silent.

In this decadent and dark era, prostitutes cannot live a decent life. They have no skills and cannot be independent.

After liberation, in order to eradicate the cancer of prostitution, the new China specially sent troops to seal off all the brothels in the Eight Great Hutongs and recruited all the prostitutes for treatment. At that time, the youngest prostitute was 7 years old and had already contracted a sexually transmitted disease.

In order to treat their illnesses, the impoverished New China used precious foreign exchange to exchange for a large amount of penicillin for their treatment.

However, physical illness can be cured with medicine, but mental illness cannot be cured with medicine. At that time, many prostitutes had many problems, such as lying, being lazy, greedy, vain, and fighting for power...

In order to help these prostitutes get rid of their bad habits and establish a self-reliant and independent personality, many outstanding female comrades gave them political lessons, organized internal grievance meetings for prostitutes to let them talk about their miserable lives in the old society, and organized prostitutes to watch dramas and movies on pornographic themes...

For prostitutes who want to start a new life, the party arranges jobs for them, sets them up on blind dates, and helps them find new homes.

With such a multi-pronged approach, the prostitutes were able to truly survive.

Le Jing knew that his article could not fundamentally improve the situation of prostitutes.

But if his article can awaken more and more "white peonies", make the red power stronger and stronger, and poke a small hole in the dark sky, then his article is valuable.

Chu Jin did not expect Le Jing to give him any advice on his problem. He said with a stern face, "You are also a scholar. How can you not read Mr. Night Watchman's articles? I tell you, if you can learn one or two points from Mr. Night Watchman's articles, it will be of great help to you in the future. Do you understand?"

Le Jing nodded obediently, "Yes, I understand. I will read Mr. Night Watchman's article carefully when I get back."

Chu Jin then waved his hand with satisfaction and let Le Jing leave.

However, Le Jing's ears were not quiet for long. Soon the old man started to shout again in surprise: "Huh? This novel?"

Le Jing didn't want to pay attention to him at first, but the old man waved at him and shouted excitedly: "Xiao Le, come here, take a look at this article, it's really a wonderful article."

Le Jing sighed in his heart, walked behind the old man and took a look. The first thing that caught his eye was the four large printed words "The Rise of Dynasties".

The old man was still muttering excitedly: "This protagonist was struck by lightning and transported to ancient times? He even appeared on people's altars and was worshipped as a god? Interesting, really interesting. The author is... Lin Zhongqi?" He turned his head and asked Le Jing: "Have you heard of this name?"

Le Jing: “…never heard of it.”

"That's right. I haven't even heard of this author, so how could you possibly have heard of him?" Chu Jin touched his chin, feeling itchy and anxious: "I really want to know how the plot develops later!"

Le Jing: Do you want to know? I won’t tell you.