Chapter 367: Newspaper

Twilight fell, and the once unbearably noisy Chang'an City gradually slipped into quiet.

While the Wei family members were still hurriedly dealing with each clan's attacks, Chen Yan and Li Chengqian arrived at the front of Lizheng Hall with three girls.

Just upon arriving, they encountered an unexpected person.

"Prince of Yue, Princess of Yue?"

Chen Yan was slightly surprised, and that very reaction caught the attention of the Prince of Yue and his wife.

Li Tai turned, smiled, and nodded at him, Li Lizhi, Gao Yang, and the Crown Princess, then looked at Li Chengqian, his gaze momentarily complicated.

He exhaled a barely perceptible breath and softly called, "Brother."

That single "Brother" broke the originally awkward atmosphere; Li Chengqian opened his mouth, said nothing, but returned a friendly smile.

Li Lizhi and Gao Yang looked rather odd, but constrained by being at Lizheng Hall, they said nothing.

"Ah, brother!"

A delighted shout rang out; instinctively, everyone looked and saw Sizi bounding out of the hall on short legs, rushing straight into Chen Yan's arms as he crouched.

"Ah, brother, Sizi misses you."

"I don't believe it," Chen Yan said with a grin, "I think you little glutton just miss the house's snacks, more or less."

"Impossible!" the little fellow protested, stamping his foot, "I really miss you! And the two older sisters too."

"Snacks... snacks are just a side thing!"

Watching their intimacy, Li Chengqian and Li Tai felt uneasy.

Clearly they are his elder brothers; why doesn't Sizi treat them as closely?

"Alright, alright, no more talk, let's go in first."

Li Chengqian spoke, Chen Yan gently pinched Sizi's chubby cheek, then let Li Lizhi lead her, and the group entered the hall.

At this moment, Li Shimin and Empress Changsun sat at the table, with Cheng Yang and Li Zhi beside them; their young daughter, the Princess of Heng Shan Commandery, was absent, presumably being escorted by someone.

After the bow, Li Shimin waved his hand grandly, inviting everyone to sit.

Come to think of it, today's family feast was rather different, using a rectangular long table, with chairs brought over from Chen Yan placed at the sides.

Li Shimin and his wife sat at the head, and everyone realized this was a genuine family banquet, making seating much more relaxed.

When the palace maids served the dishes, Wushe first poured a cup of wine for several men, and Li Shimin, holding his cup, looked at Chen Yan with a half‑smile, "You brat, aren't you going to tell me something?"

Chen Yan hadn't expected Li Shimin to be so direct; he thought there would be some small talk.

He blinked, feigning confusion, "Huh? Your Majesty, what do you want me to say?"

"What do you think?" Li Shimin retorted.

"Hmm..." Chen Yan thought, "Could it be that Your Majesty heard I was wronged and wants to restore my reputation?"

Li Shimin: "......"

Empress Changsun smiled faintly, "Alright, Your Majesty, what are you discussing with Zi An?"

"If you keep rambling, he might just sell you a whole night of nonsense; it's better to ask directly."

Everyone present knew what Li Shimin intended to ask, but no one spoke up.

They had expected Li Shimin to follow Empress Changsun's cue and ask, but unexpectedly, Li Shimin gave Chen Yan a deep look, tapped his fingers twice in the air, and then announced that they would eat.

Chen Yan cheerfully clinked cups with them, no longer dodging wine as before.

Because he noticed Li Shimin and his wife seemed intent on easing Li Chengqian and Li Tai's relationship, and Li Tai actually agreed, Chen Yan grew more speculative and excited, thus he didn't think of avoiding wine.

This must be the most proper family banquet Chen Yan has had since arriving in the Tang Dynasty—no political issues, no state affairs discussed; after three rounds of wine, they recounted past anecdotes, getting along as if truly one family.

Those who didn't drink ate their fill; Empress Changsun, with a knowing glance, led the children and women away, saying she would go check on the Princess of Heng Shan Commandery.

Only Li Shimin, Chen Yan, Li Chengqian, and Li Tai remained at the table.

"Now we can speak, right?"

Li Shimin spoke again.

Chen Yan lifted his cup, "My apologies, Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance; the fewer who know, the better. There were children present just now, making it truly inconvenient."

"Hmm?" Li Shimin tapped the table rhythmically with his fingers, his gaze growing more solemn.

When Chen Yan previously discussed matters with him, he never cared about women or children being present; he always spoke his mind.

Today's abnormality suggests the matter to be said is indeed significant.

He glanced back at Wushe, who understood, slowly withdrew and stood outside.

"Speak, were the rumors you spread today accomplished within three days using movable‑type printing?"

Li Shimin stared intently at Chen Yan; only heaven knows how shocked he was to see the paper Wushe brought back from the street.

Disseminating at once the paper filled with fatal blows to the Wei family's reputation across Chang'an and nearby regions is something manual copying could never achieve.

Unless pre‑planned, Li Shimin knew Chen Yan had produced such paper in just three days, which is what truly frightens and unnerves people.

Chen Yan first nodded in acknowledgment, then said, "Your Majesty, would you like a sharp sword hanging over the heads of noble families and officials of all ranks?"

"If you wish, just speak, and I will give it to you at once."

Hearing this unorthodox remark, Li Shimin clearly froze for a moment, then pondered, "By 'sharp sword,' do you mean the method you use to spread rumors?"

"But you have already given me the movable‑type printing technique; I can do the same, too."

"How can that count?" Chen Yan retorted, "In fact, this method is crude and not reusable; the first time it works well, but the second and third times its effect wanes."

"I have a better method; this technique, derived from what I used today, can become a sword in Your Majesty's hand that intimidates everyone."

These words fully sparked Li Shimin's curiosity, "Tell me, what exactly is it?"

Li Chengqian and Li Tai also looked at him curiously.

Since it concerned his own plans and safety, Chen Yan gave no riddles, cleared his throat lightly, and said, "The method is actually simple; we have movable‑type printing, so we can mass‑produce paper bearing text."

"My idea is to create a product distributed to the common people, called 'Newspaper'."

"Newspaper?" the three of them—father and sons—were somewhat baffled.

The questions kept popping up one after another.

Li Chengqian: "Why should we issue the so‑called newspaper, and what is its purpose?"

Li Tai: "Why call it a newspaper, and what benefits can a newspaper bring?"

Li Shimin seemed to catch a flash of insight, but didn't understand it; hearing his two sons pose question after question, he said irritably, "You two stop arguing and let Zi An speak."

"....."