"Brother Hemei, how could I have imagined that it would be you who came this time."
In Song's residence, Song Mu had just received several people sent by Yingxuefang to discuss the publication of the book. What surprised Song Mu the most was that the person in charge was actually Song Mu's former friend Zhang Yiqi.
Nowadays, Zhang Yiqi is also much more mature, but his cultivation seems to still be at the level of a scholar. When the two met, they felt happy and sad.
"Yes, that day I received a letter, and my uncle asked me to bring someone here. Brother Jingzhao, these are the two best engraving masters from Yingxue Square in Jizhou Prefecture. I am afraid that you will not be satisfied by then, so I came here to try it out with you.
Try your craft."
The two men next to him raised their hands to Song Mu cautiously. Song Mu also led them to drink tea, and then asked Huai Tong to book a table at the restaurant. Only this time he looked at Zhang Yiqi and looked at him carefully.
Fan.
"Brother Hemei, you are much more reserved than you were back then."
Zhang Yi smiled angrily and nodded.
"After all, it has been more than ten years. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, you would already be in the Imperial Academy."
Song Mu smiled slightly and asked with concern.
"Brother Hemei, can you still take part in the provincial examination?"
Zhang Yi nodded angrily.
"I'm definitely going to go, but I'm afraid I won't be able to do it due to the burden of family affairs these years. Alas, as the Master said back then, this study is like hard work. Don't be distracted, otherwise it will be difficult to pick it up again."
Saying this, Zhang Yiqi also sighed a few words.
"Fortunately, my nephew is also trying his best. In the spring of this year, my Zhang family came second in the rankings. It is already a great honor. My uncle has also gained some dignity."
Song Mu also nodded slightly.
Literary education in this world is not something that can be easily climbed. Needless to say, there were hardships along the way, and it relied on the memories of two lives.
To others, these are immeasurable advantages. There are tens of millions of scholars in the world, some have passed the exam at a young age, and some have been born as young boys.
"What Brother Hemei said is absolutely true. I have also met that nephew. He is a man of great talent. This spring has also greatly enhanced my reputation in Jiangnan West Road."
Speaking of this, Zhang Yiqi also expressed some excitement. He also said that after this Spring Festival, hundreds of Jinshi in Jiangnan West Road were promoted, causing excitement in all directions, and students from Jiangnan West Road rushed to tell each other.
Saying this, Zhang Yiqi looked at Song Mu, the expression on his face changed slightly, and then said with some emotion.
"Brother Jiang Jingzhao, it's so hard for you to hide this from me."
Song Mu looked puzzled, while Zhang Yiqi said with a wry smile.
"The "Three Character Classic" was actually written by you. I should have thought of it earlier."
"I think back then, I copied nearly a thousand chapters of the Three Character Classic in one month. I was so jealous and so embarrassed."
Song Mu suddenly showed a cheerful smile. Thinking of the scene in the school where anyone who found him copying books would be scolded, it was a long-lost feeling of relief.
Both of them drank a few sips of tea. Only then did Zhang Yiqi change the subject and asked Song Mu this time.
"Jing Zhao, you are going to publish a book this time, what is it?"
Song Mu also regained his composure, and immediately took out the compiled pages and placed them in front of the other party.
"This is one of the volumes. To be honest, Brother Hemei, over the years I have collected all the articles and poems written by my ancestors in my family, in order to compile them into volumes one by one, and then publish them as a book to extend the writings of my ancestors."
Zhang Yiqi also looked serious when he heard this. He immediately picked up the book page in front of him and looked at it, nodding his head.
"Brother Jing Zhao has great ambitions. If these books can be published, the Song family will become famous again in the future."
Saying this, Zhang Yiqi looked at Song Mu.
"These books should be regarded as official documents, right?"
Song Mu nodded, and immediately handed over the edict. Publishing official documents required the endorsement of the government. Naturally, Song Mu could easily get these.
Moreover, this kind of collection of essays can only be disseminated more if it is published in official documents. Song Mu did not expect to obtain monetary benefits from it, but just hoped that the articles of his ancestors would not be buried.
"This is just the first batch of books, there may be many more in the future."
Song Mu said this, and Zhang Yiqi also agreed on the details, the number of books to be published, and the layout, and even showed them to the two engraving masters.
After making such an agreement, Song Mu immediately arranged for a few people to have dinner. Li Dong, who was teaching in a private school at the same time, heard that people from Yingxuefang had arrived and hurried back.
This was also the first time for several people to see Li Dong. When they heard that it was His Highness King Qi, they also looked frightened, but Li Dong quickly asked about the details.
Zhang Yiqi talked about the contents for a while, and then he realized that Li Dong had actually done the proofreading of these books.
After the meal, Song Mu asked Zhang Yiqi to talk again, and chatted about the situation of this former classmate and friend. Song Mu had also heard this news from Kong Zong before, but hearing it again, he could not help but feel a little emotional.
While feeling this way, Zhang Yiqi looked at the situation next to him, and suddenly took out an envelope from his arms and handed it to Song Mu.
"Brother Jing Zhao, in fact, I was entrusted by Master Fan when I came here this time. This is a letter written by Master Fan to you."
Song Mu was drinking tea and raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw Zhang Yiqi's actions.
After reaching out to take the thing, Song Mu looked at Zhang Yiqi, who shook his head and said.
"After Mr. Qiu was promoted to the rank of Military Counselor of the Record of Fujian Province, Mr. Fan filled the vacancy and became the prefect of Jizhou. I set out here the day before yesterday, but I received this letter from your lord, naming him and giving it to you."
"As for what's inside, it's up to you, Jingzhao, to see for yourself."
Song Mu was also puzzled when he heard this. His relationship with Fan Tixue was not very deep, and they had only occasionally exchanged letters over the years. Song Mu also sent a special letter a few days ago, which was just an ordinary greeting.
The other party asked Zhang Yiqi to bring a reply, and Song Mu was not sure what the intention was.
After unfolding the pages, Song Mu browsed them carefully, but was stunned at the moment.
Zhang Yiqi also saw Song Mu's expression change and wanted to ask what was going on, but he still held it back.
Song Mu turned to look at the other party and asked.
"Brother Hemei, is there a Hanlin in charge of Jizhou Prefecture now?"
Zhang Yiqi was puzzled when he heard this, but he immediately shook his head.
"No, Hanlin literati are already high-ranking officials. How could they be in Jizhou Prefecture?"
Song Mu immediately put away the letter and spoke to Zhang Yiqi.
"Then please ask Brother Hemei to give me a message. I, Song Mu, have no obligation to do so, but please wait until I clean up the situation at home and go to Jizhou Mansion soon."
"Brother Jing Zhao, are you going to Jizhou Prefecture?"
Zhang Yiqi straightened up immediately after hearing this. At this moment, he was quite curious about what was written in the letter, which made Song Mupo look a little anxious.
Song Mu just nodded slightly at this moment, but there was a look of surprise in his eyes.
In this letter, Fan Zhengxiong and Song Muyan said that not long ago, a man claiming to be Song Mu appeared in Jizhou Prefecture.
That man was walking in the deep mountains of the county and township, promising to eliminate demons for the people in the mountains.
But recently, officials came to report that people were missing wherever this person walked, and during the latest investigation, traces of demonic energy seemed to be found.