People with a bit of knowledge will tell their daughters repeatedly not to read those storybooks. Ultimately, it's those storybooks that are problematic. If they read too much, they'll make assumptions and ruin their daughters' lives.

In ancient times, people who were serious about studying and preparing for the imperial examinations would not write storybooks, as they felt that such writing was an insult to literature.

Those scholars who wrote vernacular stories were people who needed money; to put it bluntly, they were somewhat poor. Naturally, the content they wrote was biased towards them.

Therefore, most of the stories in vernacular literature involve a poor scholar who proposes to marry a rich young lady but is opposed by her. They then elope, and in the end, the scholar achieves great success and enjoys the happiness of having two wives.

If someone actually reads these things and believes them, they'll be digging their own grave.

In ancient times, a woman's reputation was of utmost importance. If a woman's reputation was ruined, her life was over.

That's just how things are. And as the ancients often said, "Seeking marriage is like asking for a wife; seeking marriage is like asking for a wife, and running away is like running away to become a concubine." What's offered for free is never as precious as what someone asks for, so no one takes concubines seriously.

The innovation in Yunrong dialect naturally means to formalize it. A well-written storybook can be a work of art and can also inspire people.

Take the Four Great Classical Novels as an example. These works are all masterpieces, and their literary value is no less than that of any poem or song. However, in the era in which they were "born," the Four Great Classical Novels were just storybooks, used by people to pass the time.

Writing a good storybook is an achievement in itself. However, ancient scholars felt that storybooks were not respectable enough. To produce good storybooks, the literary value of storybooks must first be improved. Only when they have value will more thoughtful people put pen to paper.

Frankly speaking, why is it that a single book like *Dream of the Red Chamber* can become a field of Redology? In modern times, *Dream of the Red Chamber* has supported many scholars and literati, while poetry and prose don't have such great value. Ultimately, it's because *Dream of the Red Chamber* is rich in content.

Leaving aside its profound meaning, some of its surface aspects alone are enough to warrant study.

Dream of the Red Chamber contains detailed descriptions of ancient architecture, ancient clothing culture, ancient food culture, ancient etiquette, prescriptions, ancient music, feudal customs of ancient times, the changes and evolution of large families, and so on.

These rich historical values ​​are enough for many people to study, not to mention the ethical, moral, and humanistic considerations involved.

These works in Dream of the Red Chamber can achieve this, but a poem, a lyric, a song, or a prose piece cannot, no matter how profound their meaning may be, they cannot support a group of people.

The limitations of the content are obvious!

Yinzhen looked at Yunrong and said, "What do you mean?"

Yunrong: "Do you know about Dream of the Red Chamber?"

Yinzhen naturally knew that the saying "All the world's hustle and bustle is for profit" originated from this.

Yinzhen: "I know, you're planning to increase the popularity of storybooks among scholars?"

Yunrong smiled and said, "Yes, what do you think? I've always felt that Dream of the Red Chamber is a great pity. I've heard from unofficial histories that Cao Xueqin, the author of Dream of the Red Chamber, was unable to finish writing it because he was poor and destitute. Although Gao E's supplementary writing was done with great care, I still feel it's a regret. If the status of vernacular stories had been elevated, Dream of the Red Chamber might have been completed in Cao Xueqin's hands! In that case, there wouldn't have been such a big controversy about the ending in later generations."

Yunrong's suggestion was indeed feasible, and Yinzhen considered it and agreed. However, the question of who to entrust with this matter remained to be seen.

The mindset of scholars cannot be changed overnight. Getting those scholars who think storytelling is intellectually stimulating and are preparing for the imperial examinations to accept it is a long and arduous road.

Of course, the most important thing is that a "storybook" that can break these scholars' ideas must appear.

Yinzhen: "It is indeed feasible, but we need to take it slowly. Let's find someone to write it down first."

Yunrong countered, "I think we should redefine the name of storybooks first. Storybooks give people a somewhat frivolous feeling. Changing the name and making it a new genre will make it easier for people to accept."

Yinzhen had no objection: "I'll listen to you, I have no objection, it's just that there isn't a suitable candidate for this matter at the moment."

Yunrong: "Indeed, you can't rush things. The road ahead isn't one day long. If you pay more attention, you'll eventually meet the right person."

Yinzhen didn't think of Yunrong, and Yunrong didn't consider doing it herself either. It was one thing for her to be unable to show up, and another thing for her to be busy. If Yunrong was really busy, Yinzhen would be left alone in his room, where would he find the time to study these things?

Yinzhen had been paying close attention to the development of the "Government Gazette" and "Morning Light," and some people in the capital had already set their sights on the People's Gazette.

Yinzhen agreed with this, and the candidates for the People's Daily were basically decided. Yinzhen thought that since the goal was to expand influence, perhaps the "storybooks" could be serialized in the People's Daily.

Furthermore, we can invite influential people to provide multifaceted evaluations of the "storybooks," which will attract more attention and discussion. With increased attention and discussion, those who are interested will naturally no longer remain indifferent.

Once someone is interested, that's the beginning of expanding your influence.

In the end, the People's Gazette was taken down by Shumuluqi Huan, a member of a Manchu aristocratic family. Yinzhen had sent people to check on this person and knew that he was not a lone wolf, that he was measured in his actions, and that his father was a loyal person.

Most importantly, this person's family life is relatively peaceful, which may be due to their family tradition. His grandmother suffered from the hardships of being a concubine, so she is particularly tolerant of her daughter-in-law and only allows her son to take a concubine if he is childless by the age of thirty.

Her daughter-in-law, grateful for her mother-in-law's kindness, also expected the same of her daughter-in-law. With a reasonable and understanding great-grandmother and mother-in-law, Shumulu Qihuan's wife, Qijia, lived a peaceful life and naturally wouldn't cause trouble.

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