#142 - Blacklist
Having settled the matters of Li Su'yue and Zhang San, Wei Changtian's originally somewhat depressed mood improved considerably.
He went to check on A Chun's cultivation, but was asked by the little girl, "Master, what were you and Madam doing in the room last night?", causing his old face to flush red.
He almost corrupted the child.
"I was dual cultivating."
Wei Changtian wanted to gloss it over, but A Chun had an inquisitive spirit, and blinked her eyes as she asked again.
"What is dual cultivation?"
"It's when a man and a woman who are both cultivators cultivate together, and it can be twice as effective."
"Then can I also do it with Master!"
A Chun's "tiger-wolf words" were only halfway out of her mouth when she received a slap on the head, and she immediately covered her head, feeling wronged.
"M-Master, did A Chun say something wrong?"
"Don't ever mention this again! Understand?!"
"Understood."
He didn't know if it was his imagination, but it seemed that everyone around him, regardless of their previous personality, became a little "unrestrained" after spending a long time with him?
Wang Er and Lu Jingyao before, Yang Liushi and Liang Qin now... even A Chun is so "active" now?
Could it be that he's too easygoing? Not strict enough in his discipline?
Alas, the values of modern civilization are still at work!
Dinner was a little saltier than usual.
Li Su'yue was in charge of the spoon today, and it was estimated that she was a little absent-minded while cooking, and added salt twice.
Wei Changtian didn't say anything, and went back to his room to read after dinner.
He had already finished reading "Shu Prefecture Gazetteer", and recently he was studying some other niche books.
"Examination of the Bedroom", "Unofficial History of the Embroidered Couch", "The Art of Intercourse", "Diagrams for Avoiding Fire"... After careful study, Wei Changtian was deeply moved -
It turned out that the ancients knew how to have fun.
Of course, one can't always read these unhealthy books, and it's also necessary to understand "current affairs" from time to time.
In this day and age, without television or the internet, the way news is spread is through word of mouth, and the official and folk channels are separate.
The official channel is the "Dibao", a monthly publication that mainly records important events that have occurred recently, copied into a book and sent from the capital to the state offices, and then distributed downwards layer by layer, with the aim of ensuring smooth flow of government orders.
As for the folk news media, they are basically storytellers in taverns and teahouses, as well as Jianghu intelligence organizations such as "Tianji Tower".
These organizations specialize in collecting and selling intelligence for profit, and sometimes do some gimmicky things like "rankings".
For example, what Wei Changtian is holding in his hand now is the latest "Da Ning Black and White List".
The thin booklet records two lists, the White List for chivalrous people, and the Black List for evil people.
He didn't recognize a single person on the White List, and he couldn't even find Xiao Feng's name.
But the Black List was different.
Good heavens, they're all old acquaintances!
The top of the list never changes, his maternal grandfather, Qin Zhengqiu.
The second position is also firmly held, his father, Wei Xianzhu.
Qin Caizhen probably hasn't killed many people recently, and her ranking has dropped, falling from fifth place in the previous issue to outside the top ten.
Also dropping out of the top ten is the old ancestor who has been in seclusion on the third floor of the Wei Mansion's Martial Pavilion for a long time, Wei Zhaohai.
But there is also "good news", that is, after killing Liu Yuanshan, Wei Changtian also successfully made it onto the list for the first time, ranking twenty-seventh!
Good heavens, other people are "three martyrs in one family", "three prime ministers in one family", but the Wei family is good, it's directly "three evils in one family".
If you add the several maternal uncles in the Tianluo Sect who are also on the Black List, it's truly a family of "all villains".
Twenty-seventh, a bit low ah
Wei Changtian curled his lips and focused his attention on his introduction.
Other people's names are followed by a long string of "evil deeds", but his is very simple, with only one sentence.
[On the ninth day of the ninth month of Tianji fifteen years, he beheaded the current prime minister in the capital.]
He didn't know if this list would cause the "righteous people" in the Jianghu to come and crusade against him after it spread.
It would be good if they came, killing a few more heroes, and his ranking might be able to rise again.
Carelessly discarding the booklet, Wei Changtian took a sip of tea, and a thought suddenly popped into his mind.
Huh? Should he bring out the newspaper?
Although the technology is still slightly lacking, it is not impossible to achieve.
The money-making aspect of newspapers is secondary, what is more important is that if they can really be familiar and accepted by the people in the future, doesn't that mean that he controls the public opinion among the people?!
Wonderful ah!
The more Wei Changtian thought about it, the happier he became, and without delay, he immediately wrote a letter to Li Yang.
He explained in detail the concept and form of the newspaper, and asked him to create a copy in the name of Chun Shen Bookshop to show him.
"Zhang San!"
Finally, he checked the letter again and called Zhang San into the room.
"Send this letter back to the capital first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Young Master."
Zhang San put away the letter and was about to go out, but found that Wei Changtian was looking at him with a smile.
"Young Master, is there anything else you need?"
"There are no instructions, but I talked to Li about the two of you before dinner, and she said..."
Wei Changtian deliberately dragged out the sentence, causing Zhang San to stare with wide eyes, not daring to breathe.
"Y-Young Master, is it that Li doesn't want to?"
"What do you think?"
"I..."
Zhang San suddenly felt a little lost and lowered his head without speaking.
Wei Changtian thought to himself, is this "iron-willed tenderness"? He no longer beat around the bush and said directly: "Although she hasn't said it explicitly, I estimate that she is willing."
"What?!"
Zhang San suddenly raised his head, his face full of joy: "Y-Young Master, are you telling the truth?"
"Of course it's true, would I lie to you?"
Wei Changtian glanced over and joked: "Zhang San, you've been following me for two or three months, and this is the first time I've seen you smile."
"Y-You're making fun of me, Young Master."
Zhang San's expression was a little embarrassed, but his tone was still excited: "I, Zhang San, am a rough man, and I never dared to think that I could marry a woman like Li..."
"If it weren't for Young Master, I would probably still be in the prison of the Ministry of Justice at this moment..."
"Stop, no need to say these things."
Wei Changtian waved his hand to interrupt Zhang San's gratitude, and smiled: "Since you two are interested in each other, I think you should go through the motions as soon as possible and settle the matter."
"Anyway, Li is remarrying, and it's not suitable to have a big celebration in the first place. It's almost the same to have a lively banquet at home. What do you think?"
"This humble man will listen to Young Master in everything, but..."
Zhang San hesitated: "Young Master, there are a lot of things going on with the Freemasons recently, I'm afraid this matter will delay Young Master's important affairs, otherwise, let's wait a few more days."
"No need to wait."
Wei Changtian shook his head: "Zhang San, you will have a wife and children in the future, you should spend more time with them, as for the Freemasons... someone will help you."
Zhang San was stunned for a moment: "I wonder who Young Master is referring to?"
"You've met him."
Wei Changtian's voice was not loud, as if he was answering Zhang San, and as if he was talking to himself.
"Chu Xianping."
