Hitting the Old Man

After the memorial was sent, Zhang Dongxiang began pacing anxiously in the room.

Fang Zheng remained calm and unhurried, calmly drinking tea and occasionally critiquing the newspaper he held.

He had Xie Xian specially make a fake newspaper, with content hastily written by the newspaper's reporters.

But the articles were too poorly written!

They read like battle manifestos, with strong momentum but too many literary allusions!

Such articles were completely unsuitable for the common people to read. It seemed those scholarly writers had fallen back into their old habits.

They couldn't help but want to add some elegant phrases at every turn. When he went back, he'd dock their pay!

"Third Uncle, why don't you rest a bit? It's getting dark."

"You might not be tired, but I'm tired just watching you. At your age, stay calm! When trouble comes, you need to stay calm!"

"What shall we eat tonight?"

Zhang Dongxiang turned his head and snapped. "Eat? All you think about is food! Do you think this matter is so simple?!"

"Changing some rules may not be much, but if public opinion expands and becomes difficult to manage, that would be terrible!"

"Give me the newspaper, let me look at it again!"

With that, he snatched the newspaper from Fang Zheng's hand.

Fang Zheng clicked his tongue, looking at Zhang Dongxiang with some disdain.

Hehe, people of the Jing Dynasty always prefer harmony and compromise. For instance, if you say this room is too dark and need to open a window here, they would certainly not allow it. But if you propose tearing down the roof, they would compromise and be willing to open a window.

Now you feel changing some rules is not a big deal, but reasoning with you earlier was useless!

Zhang Dongxiang struggled to read the newspaper line by line, appearing to find reading particularly difficult.

Fang Zheng held up a candle and approached him with a smile. "Third Uncle, is it really that dark? Do you need to look so intently?"

"Old problem... can't see clearly even in old age..." Zhang Dongxiang muttered indistinctly.

He was still searching for flaws in the article.

He spoke casually, but the implication was clear.

Fang Zheng suddenly realized!

Farsightedness!?

Damn! How did I not think of eyeglasses!

Many scholars who read by lamplight damage their eyes severely, especially with oil lamps and candles that provide poor lighting.

So typically people who read a lot have poor eyesight.

And in old age, their eyes become even worse.

Not just to treat nearsightedness, but also to make sunglasses. They have practical functions and can also serve as decorative accessories.

Even if the common people don't appreciate them at first, I can still set the trend!

This business is good! And the spokesperson is right in front of me!

"Get away! Stay away from me. Just seeing you irritates me!"

Seeing Fang Zheng leaning close to him, Zhang Dongxiang didn't appreciate it and dodged away with the newspaper.

It's all this fellow's fault. Originally a simple examination has been turned into such a mess!

The Banshan Newspaper Office dares to say anything, report on anything, and should be regulated by the court in the future!

Today they dare to get involved in discussing the imperial examination, who knows what they'll do next! It's unimaginable!

Having been rebuffed, Fang Zheng wasn't angry but returned to the table and began pondering about eyeglasses.

The county didn't have experience making these things, but they were already experienced in grinding lenses, which wasn't too difficult.

As long as he provided some sketches, they could mass-produce some lenses, then find people with farsightedness or nearsightedness to try them out?

Said and done, Fang Zheng grabbed paper and pen and began sketching.

Zhang Dongxiang noticed his suspicious movements, drawing weird circles, but didn't inquire further.

Before long, Fang Zheng had drawn dozens of sketches of eyeglass lenses, accompanied by textual analyses.

Precise optical fitting would be impossible, but they could try to choose within appropriate ranges.

Even so, it would be better than having blurry or nearsighted vision.

After completing everything, Fang Zheng blew on the paper surface, looking pleased.

In this area, history books would have to mention me! I, Fang Zheng, am the undisputed father of eyeglasses!

Just as the office was enveloped in silence, Guo Tianyang arrived late.

However, this imperial decree in the examination compound was somewhat unusual.

Even though he was still some distance from the examination hall, Guo Tianyang didn't shout loudly. Only when he met Zhang Dongxiang did he begin to announce the edict.

Upon seeing that it was actually Guo Tianyang himself who had come, Zhang Dongxiang became quite nervous. He quickly put the newspaper on the table and went forward to receive the edict!

Fang Zheng casually greeted him without a care in the world.

Guo Tianyang smiled at him and unfolded the imperial edict. "By the will of Heaven..."

After the edict was read, Guo Tianyang smiled. "Master Zhang, please accept the edict. His Majesty is delighted that you care so much about the imperial examination. The gifts bestowed by the Emperor have already been sent to your residence."

Zhang Dongxiang had listened to the edict, blinking his eyes, still not fully comprehending.

Only after Guo Tianyang finished speaking did he barely react, hesitantly asking. "Eunuch Guo, did His Majesty... not mention anything about public opinion?"

"What is the Cabinet's reaction now? The content in the Banshan newspaper..."

Before he could finish, Guo Tianyang waved his hand. "Master Zhang, I've heard about this!"

"Some people have been privately printing newspapers, with all sorts of content! You must have bought an unofficial newspaper! His Majesty has already arranged for people to regulate these unofficial newspapers in society. You should be careful these days."

"Also... hey! Master Fang! What are you burning over there?! You can't play with fire in the examination compound!!"

Guo Tianyang let out a shrill cry, pointing at Fang Zheng with his orchid finger.

Zhang Dongxiang, who was still processing everything, also turned to look behind him.

He saw Fang Zheng had placed the candlestick on the ground, and the newspaper in his hand was already half-burned.

Seeing everyone in the room looking at him, Fang Zheng grinned.

"I'm congratulating Master Zhang. This is called a sense of ceremony! Symbolizing prosperity!"

Guo Tianyang rolled his eyes. "Alright, I won't say more. Master Zhang, your hard work is appreciated. I'll go back to report now."

With that, he turned and left.

Zhang Dongxiang stood there holding the imperial edict, dumbfounded...

I've been tricked... the newspaper... was actually a fake newspaper!

He even destroyed the evidence right in front of me! Damn!

Everyone knows about forgery, but newspaper forgery was truly a blind spot as this new thing emerged.

With his senior experience, Zhang Dongxiang had actually been fooled by this little trick!

Shame... regret... nowhere to hide, various negative emotions surged into his mind!

Just at this moment, Fang Zheng approached Zhang Dongxiang again and said sleazily. "Third Uncle... don't you think I deserve a share of those brocades? I'm not greedy..."

"Fang Zheng! You dare trick me!! I'll kill you!!"

Zhang Dongxiang roared, turning to pounce on Fang Zheng.

This caught Fang Zheng off guard. He hadn't expected the old man to have such a temper at his age, and was tackled to the ground.

The two began rolling around on the floor, tearing at each other.

The battle quickly determined a winner.

Fang Zheng, young and strong, soon had Zhang Dongxiang pinned beneath him, panting. "Third Uncle, let's talk this through!"

"Scoundrel! Shameless scoundrel! You dared to deceive me!"

Zhang Dongxiang felt a wave of sorrow. In the past, he had been in the military with His Majesty... had he really become so weak? To be played by a man in his twenties and even pinned down, it was truly a lifelong disgrace!