Chapter 94: Achieving Fame and Glory

“No.”

Lu Fang smiled: “This idea just came to me, and I owe it to the Grand Zhou Literary Gazette.”

Next,

Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Fang explained the commercial section and the advertising placement model, clearly stating that from now on, the Grand Zhou Literary Gazette alone could generate immense profits.

“Brilliant! This is the ultimate strategy!”

Minister of War Xie Yifan’s expression was excited.

Minister of Culture He Fan clapped his hands: “How did I never think of this? Now, merchants from all nineteen provinces will willingly pour their money into the advertisements the Marquis of Literary Crown proposed—a win-win situation.”

Fan Sheng, Xiao Qi, and the Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince were all stunned.

Commercial section?

Advertising space for rent?

Could a human even conceive of this?

The most regretful and furious was the Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince. He had previously enjoyed a favorable impression with the Son of Heaven, but now everything was ruined.

The Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince glared fiercely at Xiao Qi—this fool had told him the Emperor would yield, urging him to take the opportunity to back down gracefully.

Now look.

Not only had he been scolded by the Son of Heaven, but his competence would surely be questioned now.

The Semi-Sage of the Shi family, Sima Yu, threw back his head and laughed loudly: “Brilliant, brilliant! Only the Marquis of Literary Crown could have thought of this.”

With that, he resumed writing the Annals of Time—he had already seen that in the future, whenever anyone mentioned the commercial section of the Grand Zhou Literary Gazette, they would recall what the Marquis of Literary Crown had said today.

Perhaps, in time, merchants would even elevate the Marquis of Literary Crown to legend.

The Son of Heaven smiled broadly, his earlier headache vanished, and he declared loudly: “If the demon clans dare to invade, I shall make sure they come but never return.”

“Fan Sheng, you, as Minister of Revenue, must learn from the Marquis of Literary Crown. You’ve had no solutions at all.”

“Yet the Marquis of Literary Crown didn’t just convince the Shen family to spread the Grand Zhou Literary Gazette—he merely offered a small suggestion, and now the Zhou dynasty stands to gain boundless wealth.”

Fan Sheng’s eyelids twitched constantly as he forced out a smile worse than tears: “Your servant will remember.”

“Enough.” The Son of Heaven waved his hand. “All of you may leave. I wish to speak alone with the Marquis of Literary Crown.”

The crowd all bowed in assent and departed one by one.

In the carriage,

“You’re such an idiot. My future has been ruined by your stupidity. If my grandfather were here, he’d never have let me take such a risk.”

The Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince sent a telepathic message to Xiao Qi, furious.

Xiao Qi’s face darkened. This plan should have been foolproof—how could anyone have imagined Lu Fang would persuade the Shen family and propose a commercial section?

Now, how could the Son of Heaven possibly compromise?

The Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince sighed heavily and telepathically asked: “What happened? Didn’t my grandfather send someone to poison Shen Kangbo? Why is Lu Fang still cooperating with the Shen family?”

Xiao Qi’s face turned ashen. “My grandfather hasn’t returned yet. I’m not certain.”

“It must have failed!”

The Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince’s eyes turned cruel. “The Xiao family has three Semi-Sages—surely they can’t eliminate Lu Fang? Isn’t it said he killed Xiao Yunru? Why haven’t you seized the chance to kill him?”

“If this boy continues like this, even when my father chooses the Crown Prince, he’ll consider Lu Fang’s opinion. And now I’ve made another enemy of him.”

“We must kill this boy!”

Hearing this, Xiao Qi’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. Xiao Yunru was his most cherished son—he was certain Lu Fang had killed him, and he longed to devour Lu Fang alive.

That was precisely why he had exploited the demon clan’s marriage proposal so fiercely.

But he never imagined Lu Fang would devise the idea of adding a commercial section to the Grand Zhou Literary Gazette—everything he had planned was destroyed.

“Your Highness, rest assured—Lu Fang won’t live to see that day. I guarantee it.”

“Hmph!” The Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince growled. “I hope you deliver.”

…

When Lu Fang stepped out of the imperial palace, his face bore a smile. The Shen family’s century-long control over the commercial section had been reluctantly surrendered by the Son of Heaven, but in the end, he had agreed.

This was, in fact, the best outcome.

“The demon clans want Lu Ling to marry into their clan! I’m keeping this score. And the Xiao family and the Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince—we’ve got a long road ahead.”

Lu Fang snorted and strode quickly toward his residence.

Passing through Chongwu Street, Lu Fang encountered Song Ce dressed in mourning garb. They saw each other.

Song Ce bowed slightly: “Marquis of Literary Crown.”

Lu Fang glanced at the Song residence, where white lanterns and couplets hung everywhere, and asked curiously: “What’s this?”

He still remembered Song Ce well—when captured by the demon barbarians, he had been among the first to warn his friend using a special method. His character was, by most standards, decent.

Song Ce’s face was filled with sorrow: “My mother has passed away.”

“My condolences,” Lu Fang said gently, then took his leave.

…

Song Ce watched Lu Fang’s retreating figure, his expression darkening.

The spirit’s voice echoed again: “Hahaha… I’m dying laughing! You called that woman a bitch, didn’t you? And you killed her, didn’t you?”

“Shut up!” Song Ce snapped irritably.

The spirit: “If you feel inferior to Lu Fang, don’t take it out on me. I’m helping you. The Marquis of Literary Crown? You truly can’t match him yet—but who knows what the future holds?”

Song Ce sneered: “It’s just fame and fortune. Do you really think I care?”

The spirit laughed: “What about Li Yu? Didn’t you hear she’s been close to Lu Fang? Of course—talented man, beautiful woman. They’re perfectly matched.”

“And you? In her eyes, you’re probably someone she doesn’t even remember. No fame, no fortune—what do you have to compete with the Marquis of Literary Crown?”

“As long as that woman isn’t blind, she’ll choose the Marquis of Literary Crown.”

Song Ce’s face grew gloomy as memories surfaced: at sixteen, his first sight of Li Yu. Back then, he had been a brilliant, confident scholar.

At that poetry gathering, he had seen Li Yu—shining like a star. She was breathtakingly beautiful, uniquely captivating; one glance at her made one’s heart trace every smile, every frown.

All other women paled beside her.

The next day, she composed “Ru Meng Ling: Gulls and Herons.”

Even after all these years, whenever Song Ce recalled this memory, his lips would lift—yet now, his expression grew darker and darker.

The spirit’s voice echoed again:

“Beautiful memories, indeed. Too bad Li Yu will never look at you now. Listen—I say, forget your father’s feud with the Xiao family. Since the Xaos have offered you a hand, this is your chance.”

“A chance to make your name and achieve greatness.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you—without relying on these great clans, even if I help you, progress will be painfully slow.”