Chapter 1028: Self-Marketing

In the main dining hall on the first floor of the Fan Tower, Wang Yan stood alone on the high platform. After returning the greeting, he put his hands behind his back and stood straight.

The people below the stage were captured by Wang Yan's demeanor, causing the Fan Tower to fall into an even deeper silence for a moment.

Whether they were scholars, merchants, or the staff of the Fan Tower serving on the side, none of them made a sound. They were all looking at Wang Yan on the stage, running through many things about Wang Yan in their minds—from his love story to the fact that Wang Yan was recognized by various bigwigs as having the best calligraphy in the world, then thinking of Wang Yan's various works, and the recently spread words of establishing the Dao that Wang Yan had spoken.

After people had gone through Wang Yan's impressive deeds like this, the silent scene suddenly became clamorous. People's return greetings were uniform, as if worshipping, all bowing to Wang Yan together, but what they said was chaotic.

Some were introducing themselves loudly, some were scrambling to ask Wang Yan how to establish a heart and a life. This was because Wang Yan was considered to have arrived in Bianjing relatively early, and the previous Yangzhou scholars hadn't come to brag for Wang Yan yet. Even if they had bragged, it hadn't spread in just these few days. So, seeing the living Wang Yan before their eyes, those who had been missing him for a long time had to ask.

There were others who were also scrambling to crowd forward, wanting to be closer to Wang Yan, loudly begging Wang Yan to write a few pieces of calligraphy, which they would pay money to buy.

This was because Wang Yan didn't write much calligraphy; the high-quality ones were in the hands of Ouyang Xiu and Sheng Hong, and the ones released were ordinary copied poems, classics, etc., mostly in the hands of officials. After all, Ouyang Xiu's friends were all impressive people, and although Sheng Hong's friends were lower in rank compared to central officials, they were also fifth, sixth, or seventh-rank positions, mostly local officials with real power.

But there were quite a few people who had seen Wang Yan's works; after all, it was a refined hobby for literati, and displaying collections was one of them. Having obtained Wang Yan's authentic works, when friends gathered, it was inevitable to take them out to show off, and everyone would envy, be jealous, and hate together.

Especially since most of the people present were scholars, each with their own family background, and quite a few had seen them.

As for the many service staff of the Fan Tower in the hall, that was simple. They were quite sensitive to all kinds of news in such high-end places, and they always knew fresh things at the first moment. Wang Yan's great name had also been loud here for a long time.

So, looking at the customers who had already crowded toward the center, they knew that it certainly wouldn't be quiet for a while, so they wisely didn't urge them, turned around, and ran. They had to notify the Fan Tower's steward, notify the various courtesans, and even more importantly, notify the many distinguished guests eating upstairs.

Wang Yan had such prestige, mainly thanks to the four sentences he said later, and combined with his calligraphy that was the best in the world, as well as his not-bad poetry, which created his current majesty.

Of course, the help from Ouyang Xiu and Sheng Hong in this process could not be ignored. Ouyang Xiu opened up the upper-level route for him, making him famous among the upper ruling class of the Shao Shao Hongda Song. While Sheng Hong was willing to spend money to specifically operate Wang Yan, focusing on creating Wang Yan's impressive persona, mostly starting from the marketplace. As a result, many poor people in the city knew Wang Yan.

This was also thanks to Wang Yan's love story with Hualan. There were really not many scholars who would propose marriage on the street like him. This was something the masses loved to see and hear; it belonged to an entertainment story, and no one cared if it was true love, just because this story sounded very beautiful.

Men longed to possess the courage and talent of Wang Yan in the story. Women dreamed that one day they could also have such a talented and promising lover who would do these things for them.

Meeting the spiritual needs of the masses, it naturally had a powerful dissemination effect.

Under the blessing of various reasons, it achieved Wang Yan's current demeanor as a famous scholar. If it were a year or two ago, a player like him would have had a virtuous monarch kneeling to him, begging for his help to achieve a great career...

Wang Yan smiled and listened to the noise in the hall for a moment. Seeing that there was no sign of it quieting down, he put one hand behind his back, but raised the other above his head, slowly lifting his wrist and pressing his hand down.

Thus, the buzzing noise slowed down, until it was silent.

"Thank you all for your favor. Wang Yan is deeply grateful, and it is an even greater honor. I know you have heard of my slight talent, and combined with the thoughts I proposed last month in the hearts of our fellow scholars, you are so excited. However, we are all in the capital, and there is plenty of time, so there is no need for this. I see that you are all older than me, so I will call myself your younger brother, and here I ask after you all again."

Wang Yan bowed in all four directions again, and received the friendly smiles of everyone in response, then continued: "Just now, I heard the brothers have questions, mostly asking how I establish a heart and a life. There are also merchant brothers who praise me and want to buy my calligraphy.

Being able to meet you brothers here today is truly a fortunate event in Wang Yan's life. I cannot ignore your good spirits, and I cannot be pretentious, causing you brothers to misunderstand me as arrogant.

Since that is the case, I will sell a piece of my calligraphy, and ask the merchant brothers to generously treat all the brothers present to food and drink. If there is money left over, buy more grain and send it to the Compassion Institute in the capital, which will count as the brothers' merit, and also count as my slight effort. What do you brothers think?"

Wang Yan's gaze swept over the few wealthy-looking merchants who had been jumping the hardest and bidding for it.

They didn't hesitate at all and shouted their approval directly.

"Brothers are generous." Wang Yan sounded a bit more like a Jianghu person, appearing even closer, and he waved to greet the waiters on the periphery: "Excuse me, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."

At this time, it was actually already very lively, and quite a few people in the Fan Tower were watching the excitement on the periphery.

And the high platform where Wang Yan was located was the center of the building, which went straight to the top floor. In just a short while, in fact, there was no need for the Fan Tower staff to notify them; the people upstairs had also walked out of their private rooms, looking down at Wang Yan in the hall.

They were relatively reserved, as they were all people with status and position, and their gazes toward Wang Yan were full of scrutiny.

While the Fan Tower staff moved tables, brought brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and a famous beautiful courtesan came to grind the ink, Wang Yan said loudly: "I came to the capital by boat from Yangzhou. On the way, I dreamed of a heavenly god at night, but when I woke up, I couldn't remember the dream at all, but I foolishly wrote a poem."

"Today is such a grand gathering, I cannot let the brothers who paid money take away my old poems, that would be too rude. The brothers would certainly be beating their chests and stamping their feet when they go back, cursing Wang Yan. Simply put, today I will write this new poem as the funds for everyone's banquet today, and ask you brothers to correct it."

"Young Master, the ink is ready, please."

After Wang Yan finished speaking, the courtesan invited him with a smile, blinking her eyes, full of tenderness...

Wang Yan was naturally firm in his mind, nodded and smiled friendly, walked over, picked up the brush, licked the ink, and began to write. The Fan Tower was naturally not stingy; the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were all top-tier products of the time, and they felt quite good to use.

As Wang Yan wrote, the courtesan on the side also recited loudly.

"The sky meets the cloud waves, connecting to the morning mist; the galaxy wants to turn, a thousand sails dance. As if my dream soul returned to the Emperor's place. Hearing the heavenly language, diligently asking me where I am returning to. I report the road is long, sighing at the sunset, learning poetry in vain has startling sentences. The nine-thousand-mile wind roc is just rising. Wind, do not stop, blow the reed boat to the three mountains!"

Wang Yan inscribed the postscript, and the courtesan's recitation also fell silent.

In an instant, the scholars buzzed with discussion, all bragging for Wang Yan, full of various exclamations.

Wang Yan bowed with a smile again, called Little Dongliang up, took out the seal from the small bag he was carrying, and stamped it at the beginning and end. Then he let the courtesan display it in all four directions, while he stood on the stage with his hands behind his back, watching everyone with a smile.

The meaning was self-evident: hurry up and bid, everyone is waiting to eat...

So a middle-aged man with a wealthy appearance in the crowd raised his hand: "Two thousand strings of cash!"

"Two thousand five hundred strings of cash!"

Once someone started, the merchants in the hall scrambled to bid. Every time someone bid, Wang Yan would bow solemnly, his posture very low, and he gave them plenty of face.

As mentioned before, Wang Yan's calligraphy was really not cheap. Especially today, his calligraphy had been publicly acknowledged by many famous masters on different occasions, and with so many bigwigs endorsing it, how could it be low? Coupled with the words he said about establishing the Dao, his value was even higher. Moreover, this occasion today had a different significance. Wang Yan came to the capital for the first time, wrote a new and very good poem at the most high-end Fan Tower, and was going to use this piece of calligraphy to exchange for money to treat everyone present, and he wouldn't take a single cent of the remaining money, all of which would be sent to the official welfare institute in the capital.

And seeing that after Wang Yan sold this piece of calligraphy, he was going to start talking about how to establish a heart and a life—this was lecturing on the Dao, and it was the first time lecturing on the Dao in Bianjing.

All these things determined that this piece of calligraphy today was priceless.

The competition at the beginning was on the first floor. The later competition moved upstairs, and a bunch of people who looked extraordinary began to bid, climbing from one thousand strings of cash to tens of thousands.

"One hundred thousand strings of cash!"

At this moment, the steward of the Fan Tower walked onto the stage, bowed in all four directions, and said loudly: "Since Young Master Wang has such a grand gathering at our Fan Tower, our Fan Tower must keep this piece of ink treasure of Young Master Wang. Today, food and drink at the Fan Tower are unlimited, and we will contribute another fifty thousand strings of cash, sent to the Compassion Institute in the city. What does the Young Master think?"

Wang Yan looked around, and seeing that the price had been nailed down and others didn't dare to bid, he shook his head with a smile and said: "The food and drink must not be poor."

"Young Master is underestimating the Fan Tower's capacity."

The Fan Tower steward was a sensible person. Hearing the meaning in Wang Yan's words, he bowed slightly, explained quite humbly and politely.

"Young Master is visiting our Fan Tower for the first time and doesn't understand the prices at the Fan Tower. An ordinary meal costs ten strings of cash, and some young masters come to drink and pass the time, usually spending thousands of strings of cash."

"Since it was said today that food and drink are unlimited, then good wine and good dishes will be provided openly. If you want to treat all the guests to food and drink, fifty thousand strings of cash won't be enough, Young Master. It is truly because our Fan Tower likes the reputation brought by the Young Master, otherwise we would never have such a good thing."

"Is the steward deceiving me because I am young and ignorant, or do you think Wang Yan has no experience? How much do the dishes cost? How much does the labor cost? Does the steward really think I don't know? Fifty thousand strings of cash is enough to feed fifty thousand people a full meal, and it would be a fresh taste with wine and meat. If there is less wine and meat, and only meat porridge, and more dry rice, it would be no problem at all for a million people in Bianjing to be half-full. Now there are only a few hundred people here; can they eat more than a million people in Bianjing?"

"If that's the case, I will scold you with the people present in a while. The owner behind this Fan Tower must be a royal relative. In the end, this world belongs to them, and we are all working for them. The Fan Tower is so extravagant, and yet you want to make money and reputation from a country bumpkin like me; you can't go too far. Although I, Wang, have no background, I am not someone to be fooled like a fool."

Wang Yan wasn't talking nonsense. Nowadays, the prices in the Shao Shao Hongda Song are relatively stable. Fifty wen for a meal per person—this standard is already quite good, enough for people to eat a full meal. In fact, even for city dwellers in Bianjing, the daily per capita consumption for meals is probably only about twenty or thirty wen, just enough to be half-full. For people in other prefectures and counties, ten wen is enough to get through a meal. Calculated this way, fifty thousand strings of cash can provide five million people with a meal of non-diluted porridge.

The Fan Tower's high consumption is high in prestige. The wine is indeed good wine, and the dishes are indeed good dishes, but seasonal ingredients can't reach this level. The main addition is the various courtesans who are beautiful, have good figures, speak well, and are multi-talented—that is the consumption item where people throw money away. He wasn't soliciting prostitutes, so they were treating him like a sucker.

"What does the Young Master think is good?"

"The Fan Tower will treat everyone to today's food and drink, and donate one hundred thousand strings of cash to the Compassion Institute as it is, to properly renovate the dormitories, and also invite some teachers to open up education. For young girls, find some people to teach them embroidery and needlework, and also teach them to read and write, so they will have a good livelihood in the future. I imagine your owner must have power, so there is no need to be greedy for this money. You must look after the people at the Compassion Institute; whoever dares to touch that money will be dealt with.

I imagine your business is big, and your own things are low in price. Just build it according to the market price of one hundred thousand strings of cash, and give the children some good food and use. This is also buying a good reputation for your owner, why not do it? I will add a line on that piece of calligraphy to explain, and write down today's grand gathering. Later, I will copy all the poems I have and give them all to your owner. What do you think?"

The Fan Tower steward pondered for a moment and finally nodded: "Then it shall be as the Young Master says."

"Refreshing."

Wang Yan went directly to the table and continued to add some text to that piece of calligraphy, the gist of which was the six elements of a narrative essay learned in elementary school: when, where, who, and what happened.

After writing, he threw the brush, bowed solemnly to the steward, and then bowed in all four directions, before speaking loudly to the people who had been buzzing and had quieted down again when they saw his actions.

"Today, I met many brothers at the Fan Tower, and the Fan Tower generously donated one hundred thousand strings of cash. I thank you brothers for your favor, and I thank the Fan Tower even more for its generosity in treating us to food and drink, and for pitying the children who have no parents to rely on. Just now, Steward Liu has already agreed to rebuild the Compassion Institute, and even more importantly, to invite teachers and female instructors to open up education for the children, teach the children how to make a living—this is truly a great act of merit."

"And we must supervise the relevant officials of the Compassion Institute to ensure that this one hundred thousand strings of cash is put to real use. It has already been stated that whoever touches this money will have their future cut off. In my opinion, such heartless people deserve to be torn into ten thousand pieces and still not satisfy the hatred in one's heart. Reading the books of sages and doing filthy things—they are destined to stink for ten thousand years. If you brothers present are in the capital, you must supervise them from time to time."

"Without further ado, you brothers, please bow with me to thank the Fan Tower for its generosity and selfless righteousness."

Compared to Ouyang Fa's kidnapping of "good senior brother, good senior brother," Wang Yan's moral kidnapping was even higher. He was raising the Fan Tower up, raising the owner behind it up. Today's event must spread throughout the Shao Shao Hongda Song; they had to do it even if they didn't want to. Otherwise, it would be difficult to mix in the future.

Wang Yan set the stage, and others were happy to watch the excitement, cooperating very well, bowing to the steward together. The steward was so excited that his face turned red.

The steward's status was naturally not low, and he was quite a face-saving figure in this Bianjing city. But like now, having a large group of scholars bowing to him, it was still the first time in his life. For a moment, he felt that his life had reached its peak...

The steward, with a glowing face, said a few polite words, and then simply waved his hand, letting his subordinates start serving dishes and wine. However, because they knew that Wang Yan was going to start lecturing on the Dao next, people moved their tables, stayed very close, and surrounded the platform, leaving only a narrow aisle.

Someone shouted: "Brother Ziyan, can you tell us now how to establish a heart and a life?"

"Since all you brothers are concerned, I will tell you all. These are all my own words, and do not represent the thoughts of my teacher Ouyang Gong, or my father-in-law Sheng Hong. I hope you brothers will not misunderstand. After all, I am shallow in learning, and if there are different ideas during the lecture, please feel free to state them, and we will refer to them together. The aim is to exchange insights with each other, and it is definitely not to stir up a struggle between schools. My shoulders are too small to carry such things."

Wang Yan bowed politely again, and then spoke loudly.

"If we talk about how to establish a heart and a life, we must understand what the heart is and what life is. In the past..."

Lecturing on great principles required pulling the banner of the sages, using the classics he explained to lead out his theories. This was establishing legitimacy for himself on the basis of the overall Confucian dominance.

It's like modern people publishing papers, requiring various citations—it's the same principle, using the theories of more impressive people to arm oneself. Of course, scientific research is quite rigorous, which is different from Wang Yan's pure philosophy; it's roughly that meaning.

The theories studied at this time are all-encompassing. What is emphasized is the connection between man and all things, what is emphasized is why man is man, and the operation of the universe—all of which are grand propositions higher than reality.

Wang Yan's "Heart Learning" is his own "Heart Learning." Even if his propositions are "unity of knowledge and action," "investigation of things to extend knowledge," "practical application for the world," as well as the dialectics of "combination of virtual and real" and "motion and stillness as one," it is not really copying Lu and Wang. The highest interpretation right is here with him; whatever he says, it is.

Overall, it is advocating the subjective initiative of man and that practice produces true knowledge, and then practical application for the world. Dialectics is the method he advocates.

However, this is a rough meaning, but it is definitely not the most accurate meaning. Because what is being lectured are still those grand propositions, and in the end, it always comes down to doing it this way. So it is understood this way.

The overall atmosphere was quite good, and there were many people asking questions, still the same as when he was with Ouyang Xiu. He answered some, and said he needed to think about others, leaving enough room for his own growth.

But even so, it had already stunned everyone present. The people present were all well-known figures in their hometown prefectures and counties, and were all crowned with the name of genius. But like Wang Yan, there was absolutely no such thing.

Most of them understood the content of Wang Yan's lecture, which was thanks to Wang Yan being a good teacher; he was very good at lecturing. Those who didn't understand were truly limited by conditions—either they had no talent, or their families were poor and they hadn't read enough books.

Wang Yan established the Dao at eighteen, his calligraphy was the best in the world, and his poetry was not to say startling, but at least the level exceeded the vast majority of people. Everyone present generally believed that Wang Yan could no longer be explained by genius, but was born sacred.

Those people upstairs were no better than those on the first floor, and each of them was shocked by the talent of Wang Yan, who was talking endlessly on the stage—it was impressive to heaven.

Wang Yan was eloquent, talking endlessly, explaining to people, and also discussing, with a very good attitude and a very low posture. His talent convinced everyone, and his character was also affirmed by people.

As for whether anyone felt he could really pretend, that was likely still there; envy, jealousy, and hatred were the norm of life. But in front of others, and not close friends, everyone would still give Wang Yan a thumbs up and say they were convinced.

Today at the Fan Tower, although there were some surprises, Wang Yan was happy to see it happen. After all, his piece of calligraphy sold for one hundred thousand strings of cash, the price was there, and the impressiveness was there. Moreover, today, in front of some dignitaries and talented scholars, he proposed his propositions and lectured on his school of thought, which further strengthened his reputation and expanded his influence.

Today's story was more interesting, and this wave of self-marketing was very successful.

After all, at this time, writing books was not as casual as it would be later, where one could just fool around with marketing and hype, add all kinds of messy titles to one's head, and become a bestseller.

Especially since what Wang Yan wrote belonged to academic theory, which was very boring. If he didn't write well, people wouldn't buy it. The first wave might be borrowing the heat, and the book sold very well, but when he compiled the second volume to further perfect the theory, no one would buy it again—it was hard to last long.

In ancient times, the New Year was not the most lively; the most lively was still the Lantern Festival, which was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

On this day, Wang Yan received many invitations. His book was sold everywhere in Bianjing, and his status was rising with the tide. After all, lecturing on the Dao and really implementing it into a book and issuing it had a huge gap for scholars. It was also a festival, and he had always had talent in poetry, so it was inevitable that he would be invited to visit brothels or participate in poetry gatherings.

It was just that he refused them all, and went to Old Bao's house with Fan Chunren and Feng Jing.

Old Bao was accompanying the Emperor to have fun in the Jingcheng and was not at home; it was Bao Yi who hosted. The food was naturally stir-fried dishes, and Old Bao's cook had also returned from further training.

Seeing Wang Yan, Bao Yi was very happy and said with a tone of complaint: "Ziyan, you kept me in the dark for so long. You actually wrote a book before the New Year, but didn't tell me, it's really..."

"It's not yet a climate; it's all the favor of everyone, why bother the elder brother to cultivate his body and nature?"

"It's thanks to you, after you changed my medicine last time, I feel more and more spirited."

"It's still the elder brother who did those things I said, otherwise how could there be such an effect? In treating illness, the most important thing is for the patient to cooperate."

"Ziyan is just too humble, you are not..."

Bao Yi shook his head and smiled, "Don't change the subject, Ziyan. I think it's a bit early for you to write a book, and my father is the same. Being too much in the limelight is not a good thing. You yourself said that if you don't pass the imperial examinations, you will have no face to see people. Since that's the case, why rush for a moment? If you really perfect your thoughts in the future, you will have disciples to do the work, why delay your time now?"

"The imperial examinations have already been prepared for to the greatest extent. If I can pass, I will pass; if I can't, I won't force it. On the contrary, the matter of writing and selling books is imminent and cannot wait any longer. It is because someone is already recording my words and deeds. However, my thoughts are also shallow; how can others understand them? If I let others record them, it is inevitable that they will add their own understanding, which may not be my original intention."

"Rather than racking my brains to correct them later, I might as well write them down myself now. It also avoids people using my name to distort my original intention and ruin my reputation."

"It seems Ziyan is not confused. My father asked me to tell you to be careful, saying that speaking and writing are different, and there are people who want to find trouble with you."

"I participated in scholar gatherings before, and many people debated, and there may not be no disciples of others. Elder brother, don't worry, I have preparations." Wang Yan waved his hand, "Let's not talk about my affairs, there are seven days left before the examination, today is the Lantern Festival, we should have a good rest. Come, come, brothers Yaofu and Dangshi..." ===== CHAPTER 1029 =====

"Why must you be so polite, brother? Let's go."

Wang Yan waved his hand, took Feng Ji, and boarded the carriage, heading toward Shao Shao Hongda Xiangguo Temple.

Inside the carriage, it was Feng Ji's endless questioning...