The inaugural issue of the People's Gazette featured My First Letter of Challenge, which Fang Yun had written in the vernacular. Although many scholars were displeased, plenty of common folk were delighted, because even people who knew few characters could understand it, unlike those passages adorned with clusters of flowers and brocade that gave them headaches to read.
On the front page of the second issue of the People's Gazette, Yang Lin saw a bold headline: "My Second Letter of Challenge."
No longer sparing any attention for the people behind him, Yang Lin quickly read the challenge on the front page. When he reached the end, he could not help reading it aloud.
"On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, atop Yueyang Tower, I, this sage, shall await the honored arrival of Zhang Mingzhou. Our literary contest shall determine the foremost of the Four Great Talents. Scholars from across the world are welcome to attend."
"What? Void Sage Fang has challenged Zhang Longxiang?" The nearby crowd instantly erupted.
"Buy it, hurry!"
"Don't block the way!"
"If you don't hurry up, I'm going to start cursing! Academy Students have tempers too!"
"Quick, quick, quick..."
The people in line were like ants on a hot pan, their eyes brimming with urgency.
"Move!" The man behind Yang Lin shoved him aside, rushed forward, and pulled out ten taels of fine silver. "I want ten thousand copies!"
The shop assistant smiled. "Sorry, each person may only buy one copy. If you want a second, you can line up again." As he spoke, he deftly handed over a copy of the People's Gazette, then held out his hand.
The man reluctantly put away his ten taels of silver, handed over a copper coin, and took the People's Gazette.
After being shoved aside, Yang Lin could