Lou Yunchun looked at her with a smile.
Xu Jiang met his gaze, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, and said gratefully, "Thanks to you."
This is not only a good thing for her, but also a great thing for other bookstores and even the entire tomb book business in the capital.
Once the shackles that bind the entire industry are removed, publishing and printing books will no longer have to depend on others' opinions. When bookstores are able to show their strength, the scene will surely be prosperous.
However, this matter is likely more complex than Lou Yunchun suggests. Disbanding the bookshops and investigating the Jisheng Book Bureau is a simple matter for the imperial court. They previously refrained from doing so out of fear of disrupting the political balance, but now that they've taken action, there will undoubtedly be even greater turmoil.
Thinking of this, Xu Jiang frowned again and warned Lou Yunchun, "You have to be careful. I have a feeling they won't surrender willingly."
"Okay." Lou Yunchun pulled her into his arms, "I'll be careful."
Xu Jiang took his hand and squeezed it, then became happy again. "I'm planning to publish another set of books soon."
"What book?"
"Master's book was a labor of love. After it was completed and the blocks were carved, before it could be printed, something happened to him."
Lou Yunchun patted her hand to comfort her.
"I've wanted to publish this book countless times over the years, but I couldn't wait for the right time. Now is the perfect time." Xu Jiang thought for a moment and said, "However, I still want to ask you gentlemen to take a look at this set of books and see if it is possible for the Imperial College to supervise its printing."
"What kind of book is it?"
"It's in the house. I'll show it to you."
"I'll go with you."
The two men went to Xu Jiang's room with lamps. Xu Jiang asked Lou Yunchun to light the way while she opened the boxes and took out the manuscripts of her master. She and Lou Yunchun took them to the bookstore to read.
She was afraid of hurting her eyes, so she lit two more lamps.
"Tracing the Origins of Literary Context." Lou Yunchun flipped open the cover of one of the books and was greeted by a bold, vigorous, and powerful regular script. He discerned the origins of Xu Jiang's small regular script in its structure and composition, though Xu Jiang's handwriting was even more delicate and elegant.
Xu Jiang carefully unfolded several manuscripts one by one. "This book is the product of Master's countless efforts. He explored the writing methods of various schools, the ideas they inherited, the styles they promoted, and then divided and integrated them. Finally, he incorporated his own insights and organized them into categories. The book consists of seven volumes and forty-nine chapters."
Lou Yunchun opened the first volume. He touched the paper; though it had frayed edges, it remained pliable, a testament to the care it had taken. He focused his attention, opened the first chapter, and was hooked, unable to let go.
Seeing that he was engrossed in his reading, Xu Jiang stopped talking and went to the kitchen to light a fire and boil water. She made two bowls of mulberry tea for him to drink while he read. She then quietly went to count the books that Liang Mo had bound during the day and then registered them in the register.
While searching for her account book, she accidentally dropped a piece of paper. Picking it up, she discovered it was the marriage certificate that Xu San had asked Master Lin to write when they got married. She had copied it at the time to learn the handwriting, but she had forgotten it later because of her busy schedule.
Looking at the marriage certificate at this time, Xu Jiang couldn't help but think of what Aunt Cao said. Suddenly, a grass sprout emerged in her heart, showing a tendency to grow with the wind.
She held her chest, turned her head to look at Lou Yunchun who was reading a book under the lamp, then carefully put away the marriage certificate and put it into the wooden box where the account books were kept.
But those random fantasies kept running around in her mind unreasonably, making her distracted.
"Ajahn."
I don’t know how long it took, but Lou Yunchun’s call brought her back to life.
She patted her cheek guiltily, and after calming herself down, she walked towards him.
"Did you finish reading it?"
"Well, I've finished reading the first volume." Lou Yunchun felt a little unsatisfied, but thinking that it was getting late and he had to go back soon, he stopped reading.
He exclaimed in admiration, "This book boasts plain, simple language, rigorous and clear prose, and a vast and thoughtful scope. Despite its diverse scope, it maintains a balanced structure. It first categorizes the text, then summarizes its key points, outlines its main points, and finally explores its source and reveals its origins. I've gained so much from just reading these seven chapters, let alone the vast world of discovery that awaits me after reading the entire book. It's truly a rare masterpiece."
Xu Jiang knew better than anyone how good her master's book was, but she was still very happy to hear Lou Yunchun's generous praise, and at the same time she was extremely proud of her master.
She asked Lou Yunchun, "In your opinion, is this book suitable for the Imperial College to supervise its printing?"
Lou Yunchun nodded without hesitation. "Although this book is profound in theory, its words are clear. If it were used as a textbook for studying or writing, it would certainly be of great benefit to those preparing for the imperial examinations. If you are willing, you could submit it to the Imperial College for review and have it officially printed."
Official edition? Xu Jiang was slightly startled, then thought about it for a while and decided to wait until the book banquet to ask the gentlemen for their opinions before making a decision.
Lou Yunchun took her hand and asked, "Have you set a date for the book feast?"
"It's settled." Xu Jiang said with a smile, "I was just about to ask you to take the invitation back to your father."
She wanted to turn around to get it, but was grabbed by Lou Yunchun.
"What's wrong?"
Lou Yunchun pursed his lips and asked, "Do you have my invitation?"
"Your invitation?" Xu Jiang was stunned for a moment, then she leaned in front of him and asked with a smile, "Does that wooden couch count?"
Lou Yunchun's breathing stagnated, and then he suddenly pulled her into his arms.
As soon as Xu Jiang's laughter came out, it was swallowed up by someone, mouthful by mouthful, and it tasted so sweet that it was sickening.
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