It wasn't that Zhang Qingyuan didn't want to publish a newspaper every day. The technology of this era simply wasn't mature enough, and neither was the editorial office.
With a daily issue, there was no way to guarantee both quality and quantity.
Once things matured, they could probably manage an issue every three days. After another six months or a year, once newspapers had taken root in people's hearts and the editorial office and everything else had matured, they could consider publishing every day and becoming a true daily.
Of course, the newspaper's content would also need to be divided into more specialized publications later.
Daily papers, evening papers, news papers, entertainment papers, jianghu papers, and so on and so forth.
There was no need now. In this untamed era, this pioneering era, a mixed bag was more attractive instead.
Over the next few days, Zhang Qingyuan stayed busy in the editorial office. After all, this was their first issue, and he wanted to start with a bang.
The editorial office bustled about, while Li Xiuwen worked hard to adjust to his role and duties as editor-in-chief.
Zhang Qingyuan personally handled the reviews. Li Xiuwen was currently recruiting reporters.
Well, since the newspaper hadn't been released yet, he found the profession of reporter a little difficult to explain.
Fortunately, this era lacked all sorts of things, but it certainly didn't lack people who lacked money.
So far, he had recruited five reporters.
Two scholars and three martial artists.
Each of the five carried a homing pigeon and was dispatched to one of five nearby cities.
When the tenth day arrived, the morning sun rose above the sea's horizon, smoke curled upward, cooking fires burned thick, and the small vendors began coming out to set up their stalls.
In Phoenix Cry City, Donglin City, and Ripple Water City, groups of little beggars suddenly appeared in the streets and alleys of each city, boys and girls alike.
They were young, between seven or eight and thirteen or fourteen, roughly thirty-odd of them. Each wore a shoulder bag filled with sheets of dull-colored paper.
Besides that, a little kiosk had appeared at the crossroads in each of the three cities.
The kiosks displayed various snacks, accessories, books, and antiques.
Yet in the most prominent spots sat stacks of that lake-blue paper, covered in densely packed small print.
A wooden sign stood beside each kiosk, bearing two large characters-newsstand!
The proprietors said nothing and simply minded their stalls.
The children threaded through streets and alleys, running swiftly through crowded places with a newspaper in hand, shouting, "Extra, extra! The autumn examinations are almost here! The Tianyang Daily predicts the ten great talents of Fengyang, Lianshui, and Donglin!"
"Extra, extra! The Tianyang Sect's Tianyang Sword Immortal has slain three more great experts! The latest battle details revealed as they happen!"
"Extra, extra! The latest Tianyang Daily is fresh off the press! Learn how the newspaper came into being..."
As the children shouted, curious people naturally turned to look.
What was a newspaper?
"Say, Brother Wang, do you know who these ten great talents are?"
"Haha, if you ask me, Brother Li, your talent fills eight bushels. You certainly deserve to be called a great talent."
These were the scholars interested in the autumn examinations.
"What's a newspaper?"
"The Tianyang Sword Immortal, hmph. A formidable opponent, but my Mad Lion Saber Art is certainly no slouch."
"Exactly, big brother. Once you reach the fourth rank, that Tianyang Sword Immortal won't be worth a fart."
"Exactly, exactly."
These were the ones interested in martial arts.
Whatever interested them, curiosity drove every last one of them to stop a newspaper child.
"Hey, child, how much is that newspaper?"
"Five copper coins a copy, sir."
"Not expensive. Give me one."
"Coming right up. Here you are."
Money changed hands for newspapers. At the breakfast stalls, even those reluctant to spend money crowded over, abandoning their meals to gather around and read.
The paper wasn't particularly good quality, nor was it smooth to the touch.
The four large characters of "Tianyang Daily" greeted their eyes.
Front-page headline: With the autumn examinations approaching, we predict which of the three cities' ten great talents is most likely to become the metropolitan examination's top candidate.
Editor: Yang Songyuan.
This newspaper reports: As the autumn examinations approach, students everywhere are preparing anxiously. We dispatched correspondents to academies and scholarly societies across the three cities to consult numerous veteran scholars and distinguished figures. Considering past literary reputations, grounding in policy essays, and brilliance in poetry and rhapsodies, we offer our readers an appraisal of the ten young talents with the greatest reputations in this year's autumn examinations.
Phoenix Cry City:
Lin Moxuan: The foremost student of Phoenix Cry Academy. His writing resembles autumn waters beneath an endless sky, clear and expansive, and he particularly excels in interpreting the classics. Rumor has it that he received guidance from a retired Hanlin scholar. With the firmest foundations, he is considered the strongest contender for the metropolitan examination's top place.
Su Wan: Though his name is feminine, his talent is exceptional. His poetry is elegant and graceful, earning him the reputation of a "brow-painting talent." Master Su's performance is particularly worthy of attention.
Zhao Qingyang: Born into a merchant family, he cares nothing for wealth and loves only poetry and books. His policy essays frequently strike at contemporary ills, offering fresh perspectives. His pragmatic approach has won the favor of several practically minded officials.
Donglin City:
Chen Guanyu: A scion of the Donglin Chen Clan with a deep family tradition of learning, he could compose poetry at five and prose at ten, earning the name "child prodigy." His calligraphy is likewise extraordinary. A wealthy merchant reportedly once offered a hundred gold pieces for a single character from his brush.
Shen Zhiqiu: A model for students of humble origins, his reputation for diligence has spread throughout Donglin. His writing is plain yet weighty, imbued with an unyielding spirit, and he enjoys tremendous prestige among common-born students.
Wang Jingtao: Bold in character, with writing to match, ranging freely across the field with magnificent momentum. He particularly excels at historical discourse, his brush descending with the force of a thousand jun.
Ripple Water City:
Liu Suifeng: A celebrated scholar of Lianshui, charming and dashing, with a wide circle of friends. Quick-witted and exceptionally adaptable on the spot, he frequently delivers astonishing lines at literary gatherings and poetry meetings.
Zhou Wenyuan: Rigorous in his studies and widely read, he has distinctive insights into annotations of the classics. Though no gifted speaker, he possesses profound skill with the brush, earning his academy head's praise as one whose "inner refinement rests within his heart."
Li Mubai: Accomplished in both literary and martial pursuits, his writing likewise carries a measure of chivalrous spirit, free and unfettered. His policy essays frequently touch upon jianghu affairs and border defense, offering distinctive perspectives that refresh the eyes and ears.
Song Qingyin: Skilled in every one of the four arts-zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The ornate language and harmonious cadence of his writing make reading it like drinking mellow wine, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth. It lacks a little grandeur, but the flaw does not obscure the jade's luster.
(Editor's note: The above names are listed in no particular order and represent only this newspaper's views, offered as a brick to draw forth jade. Learning is like drinking water: only the drinker knows whether it is warm or cold. Ultimately, the great autumn examinations must be decided in the examination hall through genuine talent and learning. May all students guard against arrogance and impatience, devote themselves to study, and earn a place on the golden list to bring glory to their families.)
After reading, the scholars and licentiates interested in the autumn examinations couldn't resist whispering among themselves, eager to offer their opinions.
"I think Lin Moxuan has the best chance of taking first place this year. I've met him. He truly deserves to be called a great talent."
Another said, "I think Liu Suifeng is quite good. He's written plenty of poems these last few years, and every one deserves to be called an exquisite verse."
"Ah, poetry is merely a minor art. I think Shen Zhiqiu has a chance. I took the last examination with him, and neither of us passed, but I think he'll definitely make it this year."
"You're mistaken. If he couldn't pass last time, even if he passes this time, how could he become the top candidate? I say Su Wan has a chance."
"That man's far too effeminate."
"So what? His talent is there for everyone to see!"
"Brother Zhang, why do you get worked up whenever I mention Su Wan? Perhaps it isn't his talent you like?"
"Y-you, you're talking nonsense... Of course not, I... It's his talent, his talent!"
The jianghu folk weren't interested in the autumn examinations. They flipped straight down to what was written below!
The Tianyang Sword Immortal settles the storm with three strikes; the Three Fiends of Mobei meet their end at Falling Star Cliff. Editor: Baixiaosheng.
Recently, the rapid rise of the Tianyang Sword Immortal, Zheng Jianxin, has provoked countless disputes. The Three Fiends of Mobei, whose crimes filled the measure after years of ravaging Mobei Circuit, laid an ambush at Falling Star Cliff, intending to surround and kill the Tianyang Sect's traveling representative, the Tianyang Sword Immortal, Zheng Jianxin. Yet Sword Immortal Ye's cultivation had reached the profound mysteries, leaving him without an opponent in the fourth-rank realm. His Tianyang Four Extremes Sword Art had reached the realm of perfection. In this battle, Sword Immortal Zheng unleashed only three strikes. The first, "White Tiger Breaks the Forest," shattered the profound yin palm force of "Fierce Baleful Intent" Li Gang. The second, "Azure Dragon Probes the Sea," severed "Blood Butcher" Batu's nine-ring golden saber. The third, "Vermilion Bird Faces the Sun," struck the fatal point between the brows of "Ghosts' Dread" Sima Xuan. The three fiends lost their heads, ridding Mobei Circuit of a great scourge. According to eyewitnesses, Sword Immortal Zheng departed lightly after the battle without a speck of dust on his robes, his bearing inspiring boundless admiration. For details of this battle and an exclusive interview with Sword Immortal Ye, watch for the "Jianghu" section in our next issue.
After reading, several martial artists exchanged looks.
One slapped down the newspaper indignantly.
"What rubbish! No opponents in the fourth-rank realm? Isn't he afraid the wind will twist his tongue?"
"Exactly! That's because he hasn't met me. If he did, I'd cut that damned sword immortal's swagger down to size!"
"Stop talking out of your ass. What rank are you, anyway?"
"What's wrong with the fifth rank?"
"You haven't even reached a ranked realm. How would you fight him?"
"Can't I kill someone above my level?"
After reading the front page, the scholars argued because literature had no undisputed first.
After reading the second page, the martial artists quarreled because martial prowess admitted no second.
Of course, Zhang Qingyuan had written that section. Whatever else, he might as well praise his own people first.
His second senior brother worked so hard. Naturally, he deserved a reward.
As everyone read on, they found another small section below.
Notice to readers: The Tianyang Daily is published by Tianyang Media under the Tianyang Sect, with the aim of "enlightening the people, sharing news, and entertaining the public." It goes on sale every fifth morning at designated newsstands and through newspaper children in the three cities, priced at five copper coins per copy. We also welcome ongoing submissions of strange happenings, unusual tales, and fine poetry from the three cities. Accepted submissions will be generously compensated. Please deliver submissions to your city's Tianyang newsstands.
"Generously compensated?" A man carrying a sword paused in thought at this. "I actually do know something."
"What do you know?"
"Can't tell you. It's worth money."
Amid the noisy chatter, they read on.
A ten-day overview of prices in Phoenix Cry City's eastern market.
Recorded by this newspaper's market correspondent.
Rice, flour, grain, and oil form the foundations of people's livelihoods. This newspaper dispatched a correspondent to record recent prices in Phoenix Cry City's eastern market for residents' reference, helping guard against unscrupulous merchants inflating prices.
Brown rice: Thirty-five copper coins per dou. Price steady. New rice from the Eastern Realm has arrived in port; prices are expected to remain stable with a downward trend.
Polished rice: Seventy-five copper coins per dou. Price falling.
White flour: Five copper coins per jin. Ample supply.
Pork: Twenty copper coins per jin. Prices have risen slightly recently because a minor illness at a pig farm north of the city has tightened supplies somewhat.
Vegetable oil: Fifteen copper coins per jin. Stable.
Salt: Fifty copper coins per jin. Official price, stable.
Coarse hemp cloth: Eight copper coins per chi.
Fine cotton cloth: Twenty-five copper coins per chi.
Huzhou silk: One tael and two mace per chi. New patterns from the south; prices remain firm.
(Correspondent's note: These are average prices at ordinary shops in the eastern market. Slight fluctuations between morning and evening markets or individual shops are normal.)
After reading this section, some nodded silently in approval of its contents.
People's livelihoods-everyone needed to eat, and food, clothing, housing, and travel all cost money. This mattered more than anything.
Others sighed indignantly. "Damn it, I was wondering why pork had gone up again!"
Reading further, they reached the next section: strange happenings and unusual tales.
Shocking! Ghostly midnight weeping outside Phoenix Cry City-could an abandoned mountain village actually be a century-old ghost market? Reported by this newspaper's special investigative correspondent, Zhang Dadan.
Recently, the abandoned Zhao Family Village, thirty li outside Phoenix Cry City, has become a forbidden place whose very mention makes people pale! According to nearby villagers, whenever the moon is hidden and the stars are sparse, waves of mournful crying drift from the village, weeping and lamenting, occasionally mixed with the faint sound of dragging chains, making people's hair stand on end. A bold woodcutter who once wandered in at dusk actually saw indistinct shapes beneath the village's old locust tree, with white-robed figures floating in the air, appearing and disappearing!
An old villager declared with absolute certainty, "That village has been abandoned for almost a hundred years! My grandfather told me it was an execution ground at the end of the previous dynasty. The resentment there was terribly heavy! Those wandering ghosts must have grown tired of solitude and come out to cause trouble!"
Further rumors claimed that a wandering Daoist had gone there to deliver the spirits, only to flee in panic the next day, his face deathly pale, repeatedly declaring, "Resentment reaches the heavens. It is beyond my power." The incident has sparked heated discussion within Ripple Water City, leaving people anxious. After nightfall, nobody dares approach within five li of Zhao Family Village...
The more everyone read, the more alarmed they became, and they began discussing it.
"Could it really be haunted?"
"I reckon it's fake."
"No, I've heard this rumor. It's true. I heard it from my older female cousin's father-in-law's nephew's wife. She's from that village. The stories going around are downright eerie."
"What happened afterward, then? Do you know what was going on?"
"No idea."
"Fuck, beat him up!"
They read section after section, different content satisfying different people's needs.
Everyone focused on different things, but they read all the content nonetheless.
Entertainment was so scarce in this era that anything seemed fresh.
Even things they didn't particularly care about made engrossing reading in this novel newspaper.
That was how this era was. Why else did everyone love gossip and eating melons? Because there was no entertainment.
Now that something so novel had finally appeared, how could they not savor it properly?
Afterward, they had to discuss it with friends, too. It was thoroughly addictive.
Once they had finished all the sections, there was one final piece.
Serialized story: Journey to the West
Some merely read for the excitement and novelty.
Others, however, felt the contents of the various sections leaped around far too much.
How had even mythological stories found their way in?
But they kept reading.
Since Pangu opened heaven and earth, the world had been divided into four great continents: the Eastern Continent of Divine Victory, the Western Continent of Cattle-Gift, the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa, and the Northern Continent of Uttarakuru.
Legend told of a land overseas from the Eastern Continent of Divine Victory named the Aolai Kingdom. The kingdom bordered the great sea, and in that sea stood a famous mountain called Flower-Fruit Mountain. This mountain was the ancestral vein of the Ten Continents and the dragon court of the Three Islands. It rose when the clear and turbid separated, taking form after primordial chaos was divided.
On Flower-Fruit Mountain, near the sea, stood an immortal stone, three zhang, six chi, and five cun high, and two zhang and four chi in circumference. Its height corresponded to the three hundred and sixty-five degrees of the celestial sphere; its circumference corresponded to the calendar's twenty-four solar terms. It had nine apertures and eight holes, corresponding to the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams. No trees shaded it on any side, though fragrant herbs and orchids accompanied it to left and right.
Ever since creation, it had received the purity of heaven and the beauty of earth, the essence of the sun and the splendor of the moon. After long exposure, it developed spiritual awareness. An immortal embryo grew within it, until one day it split apart, producing a stone egg the size and shape of a round ball. Exposed to the wind, it transformed into a stone monkey...
When they reached the part where the stone monkey became the Handsome Monkey King, the story stopped abruptly. Below it was the considerate note: To learn what happened next, please read the next issue.
"Damn it, that's all!"
"What happened after he became the Handsome Monkey King?"
"When's the next issue?"
"Didn't it say? Five days from now."
"Cliffhanger dogs!"